Country calling with host of rugby players picked in representative teams

Lismore's Zali Wheeler has been selected in the open women's team.

She was one of four players from the Lismore rugby club in the Far North Coast team at the open championships in Tamworth last weekend.

Meanwhile, four FNC players have been selected in the open men's squad.

Wollongbar-Alstonville five-eighth Ben Damen has represented the Cockatoos for over a decade now.

He will be joined by Pioneers teammate Bodi Smith along with Mullumbimby's Vinnie Quigley and Richmond Range player Alex Gibbon.

Gibbon grew up playing for Wollongbar-Alstonville and made a name for himself in the Australian sevens team.

He has helped get Richmond Range back on the paddock in recent years with the club making the step up into first grade this season.

Other FNC players who will represent country teams this year are Elijah Galloway, William Mosse, Blake Paisley and Charlie Sutton in the under-16 boys team.

Diggy Atkins, Cai Garrett and Tully Radburn will play in the under-15 boys with Teo Martin, Adam Price, Lachlan Rippon and Kristian Sines in the under-14 boys.

Isla Gillan is a Lennox Head junior who made the under-18s girls team after representing Central Coast at the carnival.

A HOST of players from across the region represented Far North Coast at the NSW Country rugby championships in Tamworth over the long weekend.

The open men's team competed in the top division for the Caldwell Cup.

They finished fourth after a 17-13 loss in the playoff for third against Hunter.

The Caldwell Cup was won by Central Coast after a 46-43 win over Illawarra.

Lismore was well represented in the open women's with Lara DeJong, Jamie-Lee Farnham-Fry, Zali Wheeler Kiara Jeffery and Jaimaya Rosser playing.