Tweed Heads Seagulls officially confirmed in South East Queensland women’s division one

At long last, Tweed Heads have been given the official nod of approval that their inaugural women’s rugby league side will play in the premier South East Queensland division.

AT long last, Tweed Heads have been given the official nod of approval that their inaugural women’s rugby league side will play in the premier South East Queensland division.

The Seagulls have gone all out in attracting Kiwi Ferns coach Kelvin Wright to spearhead their program and signed CJ Sims as a marquee player and now they know for sure that their wish to compete at the top has been granted.

Tweed will join the six incumbent division one squads – Burleigh, West Brisbane, Souths, Brothers Ipswich, Easts and Toowoomba – in a seven-team league.

Kelvin Wright at Piggabeen Sports Complex. Picture: James Owen

Wright admitted there was a sense of relief about the news but believes they have the pieces in place to perform well.

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“We were pretty confident all the way with the support we had from the Gold Coast Airport and the staff we brought on board but ultimately it comes down to the players and their commitment to turn up and them wanting to challenge themselves and compete against the best,” he said.

“We have got high expectations and high standards. We’ve made that clear to the girls, that by playing in division one that comes with a lot of responsibility, discipline and commitment.

“We’re certainly not there to make up the numbers.”

Tweed Heads Seagulls signing CJ Sims.

Among the 30 players they currently have on deck are Sims, Cook Islands 2017 World Cup representative Chantelle Schofield and ex-Burleigh duo Josina Singapu and Shelley Fox.

Tweed will play trials against Souths on March 9 (home) and against Brothers Ipswich on March 16 (away).

SEQ’s confirmation of the seven-team format means Rona Peters’ hopes of starting up a division one Runaway Bay outfit will not get the immediate go-ahead, although they could yet feature in a lower grade.

The structure of the division two and three competitions has not yet been finalised.