The Tiwi Bombers have begun their push to enter a side in the NTFL’s Women’s Premier League

THE Tiwi Bombers have renewed their bid to become the 10th team in the NTFL’s Women’s Premier League

The Tiwi women want to replicate the men by playing in the NTFL’s Women’s Premier League.

THE Tiwi Bombers have renewed their bid to become the 10th team in the NTFL’s Women’s Premier League.

And they want it to be a full-time position as opposed to taking some tentative steps 12 months to play an eight-game trial season.

The Bombers’ general manager Leigh Crossman said the work the club had done to prepare for a trial season would be put to good use for the 2020-21 season.

“We’ve done a lot of work around that and set aside a fair amount of money for the trial last year that is still there,’’ he said.

“We’ve also done some work with other people regarding raising money and other issues and think we’re in a very strong position to pursue a women’s side.’’

Crossman said playing numbers and a high profile coach in Waratah premiership mentor Colleen Gwynne were already in place if given the green light .

“I’ve had a brief conversation with (manager of community football) Emily Wastle-Hopkins on our intentions going forward.

“She mentioned there will be a lot stricter guidelines for clubs wanting to enter the women’s competition from now on,’’ he said.

“We were really keen on a six or eight-game trial for that reason, we wanted it to have a real positive impact on the community and build on it going forward.

“But now we’ve got the resources and the personnel to be a big part of the WPL from next season.’’

Crossman is confident a Tiwi women’s side with its excitement and skill factor will have a big impact on the women’s competition.

“We all know what the men’s side have done in terms of the Premier League, I’m sure a women’s side will just as popular and they’ll do a lot for the people on the islands,’’ he said.

“It’s difficult to run a remote football side, the men’s team flies into Darwin on 14 of the 18 weeks and that became 15 this year.

“But with the right mix of young and older ladies and a big understanding of the logistics involved, we’re ready to go for next season.’’