In a perfect world there would be more than one side from the Group 11 region taking part in next year’s Western Women’s Rugby League (WWRL) competition but the belief is the move will be positive in the long run.
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The inaugural regional tackle competition was a massive success when played out earlier this year, with Group 11, Group 11, Woodbridge Cup, and Castlereagh-Barwon sides taking part in opens and under 18s.
Next year’s competition is an expended one, both in terms of teams and divisions.
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An under 15s competition will also feature while six different sides will take part.
Castlereagh-Barwon, Woodbridge, Orange Vipers, Panorama Platypi, Mudgee Dragons, plus a Dubbo based outfit make up the WWRL competition.
The Dubbo-based side, to be known as the Goannas, has already had to training sessions.
Open-age captain Amy Townsend said the hope is for multiple teams from the region to take part in 2020 by helping a number of new and potential players develop during next season.
“I’d like to see (the region) split more and others on the committee think the same but this will be a good way to develop new players,” she said.
“They can learn how to tackle and positioning, it’s probably more safe on a development level.”
The Goannas will be hosting another training and development day at Victoria Park on December 22 and Townsend is hopeful a huge amount of players across all age groups will attend.
Gerry ‘Chicka’ Merritt has stepped up to take over as coach from Nicholas Wilson while Sue Egan will again be heavily involved in the side.
“It is great to see how far the competition is progressing in such a short period of time,” Townsend said of the development of players.
“My hat goes off to the Western Women’s committee and the hard work they have put into the competition.
“The girls have been training really well. ‘Chicka’ Merritt has been pushing us really hard because we are aiming to go one better than last year.”
Group 11 fell short in the inaugural WWRL as Group 10 claimed the title.
However, with some new additions and a thorough preparation the Goannas are well-placed to have a real impact on the competition.
The likes of Townsend, Britt Naden, and Cassie Toomey are all returning while the additions of Lilly-Ann Mason-Spice, Emily Caton and Alahna Ryan injects some real excitement.
Nyngan-based talent Ryan makes the move up from the under 18s while Caton is back in Dubbo after playing at a high level in Newcastle while Forbes product and Australian Rugby 7s under 18s representative Mason-Spice has also returned to the west.
Those players, along with all involved in the WWRL, are aspiring to follow in the footsteps from some of the last season’s stars like Rhianna Sutherland, Kaitlyn Phillips, and Sally Dwyer, all of which who are now playing in Sydney.
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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.
