If the NSW Touch Football Country Championships were played anywhere but Dubbo, it’s likely Corinne Medlin and her side wouldn’t be competing.
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The Dubbo Devils women’s senior outfit is made up of players over 30 years of age and with the bulk of the team having young families it would have most likely been too hard to travel to a centre like Wollongong, where the tournament was last year.
But the Devils women are now not just making up the numbers, they shape as a genuine Championships contender.
The team is one of six Dubbo sides set to feature at the Riverbank Ovals this weekend.
“We’re very excited. two years ago we entered a team here and won the division and we’re probably a stronger team this year,” player-coach Medlin said.
“The last six or eight weeks we’ve been training once a week. A lot of us are mums so it’s a bit more casual in our age group but when we’re here we work hard.
A lot of us are mums so it’s a bit more casual in our age group but when we’re here we work hard.
- Corrine Medlin
“It’s a good way for us to socialise. A lot of us are friends outside of touch so this is a good way for us to catch up regularly and the kids come along and run around at training so it’s really nice.”
The Devils women’s senior side will play against the Wagga Wagga Vipers, Newcastle City Knights, Mudgee Mudcrabs and the Jerrabomberra Storm.
While the Dubbo outfit is among the favourites, Medlin said her side will have to be on its game with plenty expected from the Vipers while the Jerrabomberra team is somewhat of an unknown.
“We’ll be a good chance to win again with the team we’ve got,” Medlin said, before speaking about some of her side’s strengths.
“Bec Smyth played rugby for Australia for years before she had children and she’s something else, she’s amazing. Tracey Whillock has come up from women’s opens and is a very valuable … she’s one of the captains with Sammy Davis, who has played state for the over 40s before so she’s valuable too.
“But we’re strong across the park.”
Smyth shapes as one of the stars of the entire Championships due to her efforts in rugby, where she played at both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
The women’s senior side is one of seven Dubbo Devils teams set to play at the Championships with the others being two men’s open sides, women’s opens, mixed opens and the men’s masters over 40s.
Matches start from 8am on Saturday morning and run all day.
Play continues on Sunday before finals from 12pm.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
