Hannah McKeown couldn't have been much more of a proud coach on Saturday morning after seeing her South Dubbo Raidettes take out the Junior International League Tag grand final.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The McKeown and Kiara Singh-coached Raidettes defeated Parkes Marist 26-16 in the decider, with a Millie Sutcliffe hat-trick highlighting the performance.
But for McKeown the most special aspect was the close bonds developed off the field and the improvement made on it throughout the year.
"That's amazing," she said of the win.
"I love them all so much. They're great kids with great attitudes and I'm so proud of them."
At one point early in the grand final it seemed the Raidettes were going to put on a real show for the crowd.
McKeown said there was real nerves around the group when they arrived at Apex Oval and during the warm-up but you wouldn't have known it once the action started.
READ ALSO:
Sutcliffe and and Sophie McAneney both scored long-distance tries to shoot the Macquarie side out to a 12-0 lead but the Parkes youngsters never dropped their head.
On the back of some outstanding play from Grace McGregor, Parkes soon built some sustained pressure.
And with that the points began to flow and a Grace Milne double and four-pointer for McGregor had things locked up at 12-all at half-time.
But in the second stanza the Raidettes maintained composure the better and soon put their stamp on things.
A further two tries to Sutcliffe, sandwiched by a Holly Bowden try, put the game out of reach but McGregor grabbed a late consolation when scoring her second right on full-time.
As was the case for most sides in the competition this year, the Raidettes came into the competition with minimal experience and McKeown said there was varying levels of ability within the side.
"But we worked on things and everyone came together," she said.
McAneney was named player of the match while Sutcliffe was another obvious standout and they're just two of the players the South Dubbo and Macquarie fans are eager to see continue developing in the coming years.
"They're all getting bigger and the talent is getting better so it will be interesting to see where they go in the future," McKeown added.
The title win was another reward for the effort the South Dubbo and Macquarie clubs have put into league tag.
The Raidettes also featured in the senior league tag grand final on Saturday while the club's under 18s side will take on Orange Hawks in Sunday's decider after being part of the Group 10 competition this year.
"It's a good club and it's very close-knit," McKewon said.
"It's a big family and everyone jumps in to help so I love being apart of it."
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.
