Christmas and New Year celebrations are warning signals for footballers of all codes to begin training and, specifically for the Forster Tuncurry rugby union club’s women’s squad, it means experiencing One Mile Beach’s dubious pleasures.
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For both the Dolphins’ women’s and men’s teams, winter will come early this year with the Crescent Head seven-a-side tournament taking place on February 2.
Last season’s rugby was every bit the difficult first season anticipated by the women’s team, the Dolphinettes, but it is hoped that with the experience behind them, life will be easier for the novices this year. But then rugby was not devised that way.
Mother of two and inaugural team captain, Emily-Jane Brady, who broke into representative rugby with the Mid North Coast team last winter and subsequently became the club’s first female vice-president, said: “Hard work brings its rewards. Training is imperative now with the Crescent Head tournament only a month away.”
For their initial “beach party”, the Dolphinettes are asked to assemble at 6pm next Wednesday, January 9 with jogging gear and running shoes at the shelter shed at the extreme eastern end of Strand Street, 50 metres from One Mile Beach. New players are essential.
There were encouraging signs from the Dolphinettes last season, a trio prominent being Dani Lumbara, Chloe Coble and Jedda Marr.
There was an old war-time melody, “Knees up, Mother Brown,” which recommended physical training for the enormous rigours ahead. Tackling the massive sand hill at the northern end of One Mile will be a peace-time operation requiring determination and stamina.
The new season kicks off on April 7, bringing new challenges. The Lower M.N.C. premiership will introduce a 10-a-side women’s competition with games of two 10-minute halves, boosted from last winter’s seven-a-side games. A higher fitness level will be needed.
Last year’s Lower M.N.C. women’s premiership thrust up a Gloucester-winning team which overcame the heavy favourites, the Wallamba Bulls, 26-10, in the grand final, providing the Cockies with their first title in 46 years.
The Cockies’ primary player nursery, Gloucester High School, produced the player of the grand final in Courtney Whitby, who shone in running in two tries and adding the conversions. Coach David Cox warns they will be an even greater threat this winter.