Coalfields women's league-tag teams made history on Saturday in their first competitive hit-out in their team colours.
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Cessnock, Kurri Kurri and Maitland took part in the inaugural Newcastle Rugby League Ladies League Gala Day against their Newcastle rivals.
The Pickers finished the best of the three Coalfields teams making the semi-final against eventual winners Western Suburbs going down 20-0.
Maitland had a win and a draw from the round-robin preliminary rounds.
Kurri Kurri finished third in their pool with a 6-0 win against Lakes United and losses to grand finalists Western Suburbs and South Newcastle.
Cessnock only came together as a full-team the Monday before the gala day and recorded a draw against Matialnd and losses to Macquarie Scorpions and Central Newcastle.
Goannas coach Tony Smith was delighted with the team’s performance.
“We really only came together as a full squad the week before and to play as well as they did was fantastic,” Smith who is still on the hunt for players to join his team.
“We started with two losses but had a draw against Maitland in our final game.
“They got better each game and the results in the two losses were probably closer than the scores suggested.
“I was very proud of them and I think it will fill the girls with a lot of confidence knowing they can compete.”
Smith said the team only had four players who had previous experience in league tag or tag football and had been on a fast learning curve.
“A lot of the girls had soccer and netball backgrounds, but have gelled together really well and there is a big upside,” he said.
“We still need four or five players to bring our squad to full strength.
“A lot of the girls have university and work commitments so we need at least 18 to 20 players on the squad to cover injuries and other commitments.
“It’s an exciting time in the development of women’s team sports and we are pleased with how the Goannas have embrace the girls as part of the club.”
Smith said any women interested in joining the Goannas can find details and register on the club’s Facebook page.
The Goannas have trial matches against Central Newcastle, Maitland and Kurri Kurri in the annual Charity Shield which will be hosted by Cessnock this year.
The Ladies League Tag competition is part of this year’s Newcastle Rugby League season, with all eight clubs fielding teams.
The opening round is on the weekend of April 22-23. Cessnock are on the road against Western Suburbs and Kurri Kurri host Central Newcastle.