Australian-first program coming to Mackay

The Mackay Cutters and Rugby League Mackay & District have come together to help grow the women’s game.

Tina Hancock, Casey Manzelmann, Cutters Women's Academy coach Marco Peters, Jessica Doring and Maggie Brosnan at BB Print Stadium today for the announcement.

THE Mackay Cutters and Rugby League Mackay & District will come together for a first-of-its-kind program designed to push the region to the forefront of women’s rugby league.

Cutters chief executive officer Maurie Fatnowna today announced the formation of a Women’s Academy program, to begin on a date yet to be decided, with an aim to bridge the “gap” between men’s and women’s representative rugby league.

“We found there was a real need for us to assist local women’s rugby league, in creating a six-week strength and conditioning program, and guided coaching program,” Fatnowna said.

Fifty players from Mackay and Moranbah will populate the inaugural Academy list, with the program divided into Under-18 and Women’s squads.

Fatnowna said it was the first such women’s-targetted program outside of the NRLW and would greatly improve the chances of players in the region going on to bigger and better things.

“It’s not a matter of if there will be an NRLW side in North Queensland, it’s a matter of when,” the CEO said.

“It’s important we set the girls up for success … it’s important for us to assist any girl or woman that wants to play rugby league to be in the best position to be a part of that when it happens.”

Experienced women’s rugby league coaches Marco Peters and Jade Badger will oversee the program.

Peters coached Brothers to the RLM Women’s premiership this season, while Badger was at the helm of Mackay’s Foley Shield side.

Peters said he and Badger went back and forth numerous times before settling on the Academy list.

He believed the exposure to high-level coaching, strength and conditioning and nutritional programs would have a flow-on effect to the Mackay competition.

“Mackay has been pretty progressive with (women’s rugby league). We had the first junior girls academy and have been very successful with the Marlins over the years. This is the next step really,” Peters said.

“It will make (club football) stronger. All the clubs are represented which is fantastic.

“It bodes well for a strong season next year.”

Magpies second-rower Tina Hancock said the opportunity to train alongside and mentor the next generation of promising players would make her Academy experience that much better.

“I didn’t get this opportunity when I was younger. These girls coming through, you can see the level they’re at now … their skills have developed enormously,” she said.

“I know some of these girls will play in the NRLW. I can sit back and watch these girls who come through and play – it will be amazing.”

Souths U18s hooker Casey Manzelmann knows now is the perfect time to be an up-and-coming female footballer and intends to grasp the Academy opportunity with both hands.

“I love my training. Anything extra I can do to help my game I’ll do it – all the one-percenters,” the 16 year old said.

She hopes to follow in the footsteps of Mackay product Brittany Breayley, arguably the best hooker in the women’s game.

“It’s probably Britt. I’ve looked up to her since I heard about her,” Manzelmann said of her footballing idol.

“Cam Smith is there obviously, but to have someone in the women’s game that plays my role … she’s a massive mentor for me and I try to work my game off hers and see what she does.”