Dubbo Rhinos’ history books are littered with women’s sides enjoying a huge amount of success and winning titles.
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There hasn’t been as much to write about in recent times but the club is determined to get a women’s squad back on the field and keep it there for many years to come.
The Rhinos have seen strong numbers attend training in the lead-up to this season Central West Rugby Union competition, played under the tens format, but club president Ian Burns said he’s still looking out for more players.
“We’ve probably got around 10 or 12 signed up and going to training and they’re looking fantastic,” he said.
“Most have played some sort of rugby before but the ones who haven’t are picking it up quickly.
“But we would love another half a dozen probably. You’re going to have some unavailable at times so we’re looking for a few more women interested in playing full contact rugby in the central west.”
The Rhinos won the women’s title in 2014 but haven’t fielded a side since then.
It returns for the 2018 campaign in an 11-team competition combining sides from both the Blowes Clothing Cup and Graincorp Cup.
“That kind of success is great but we’re aiming at continuously having a women’s side on the paddock,” Burns said.
Burns added it’s an exciting time to get into the women’s game and there’s no doubt about that.
The success of the Australian sevens side rocketed the game into awareness while there is now a Super W competition featuring the NSW Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, Queensland Reds, Melbourne Rebels and Western Force.
“There’s something to aim for, for anyone who is keen enough and good enough,” Burns said.
The Rhinos recently made its annual pre-season trip to Nabiac for a trial and Burns is hopeful the women’s team will become part of that tradition from next year.
The men’s side will be in action again on Friday night at Warren against the Western Plains representative side.
“It’s going to be a big ask for our guys and a tough game but it will be good for the representative side to work on some structures and will be good for us as well,” Burns said.
“We’ve got a slightly different structure and still getting used to that.”
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.
