The Palmerston Raiders will put an emphasis on their female and junior NRL NT teams in 2019

A NEW era is dawning upon Palmerston Rugby League club, which has a fresh committee intent on increasing junior and female participation.

Palmerston Raiders player Will Smith gets boot to ball during Round 13 of NRL NT, Nightcliff Dragons vs. Palmerston Raiders at Rugby Park on Saturday, August 11, 2018 Picture: Keri Megelus

A NEW era is dawning upon Palmerston Rugby League Club, which has a fresh committee intent on increasing junior and female participation.

Following the departure of long-serving boss Greg Hansen, Rod Greenwood has taken over the presidency with Damian Hale now vice- president.

After they failed to field an under-18s boys’ side, women’s outfit and girls’ under-17s team last year, the Raiders are determined to increase participation in those areas, according to Hale.

“The club will be focusing on boosting its junior numbers, developing the skills of our coaches and building on the great work Trudy Russell, our women’s football manager, is doing with our women’s program,” Hale said.

“Our junior grades will be managed by the well-respected Dallas Smith and there will be no cap on our registrations.”

Hale said an under-18s boys’ outfit was a must-have for any NRL NT entity, but particularly for Palmerston, which has such a large catchment area.

“The under-18s is vital for our club’s future prospects,” he said.

“We want to see our under-18s progressing into senior teams.”

Applications for coaches in all grades are still open, with life member Daniel Norris now the club’s senior football manager and chair of its coach selection committee.

Despite having exited the finals in straight sets the past two seasons as undefeated minor premier, Hale said the club’s first team was still hungry for success under Daniel Keelan, who is expected to be reappointed as coach.

“We are still building towards an A-grade premiership,” Hale said.

Keeping Darwin’s tough economic conditions in mind, the Raiders have put a freeze on junior and senior fees. Families can register online.

The season will kick-off early at Goodline Park, with the Bell Bar and Bistro NRL League Touch competition starting on February 6.

The new format, based on rugby league rules, takes touch football back to its roots.