The PINT women set their sights higher after playing in an NTFL preliminary final last season

First year PINT coach Rick Nolan predicts big things for his women’s side in 2020-21

Katie Streader in action for PINT last season. Her coach Rick Nolan has described her as an ‘unbelievable leader’. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

PINT’S rise and rise as a women’s football powerhouse is set to continue under three-time St Mary’s men’s premiership coach Rick Nolan.

The Queenants surprised everyone but themselves last season when they went all the way to the semi-final where they lost a close contest to Waratah.

Nolan expects more improvement under his tutelage from a playing squad determined to take their performances to another level.

The recruitment of Sarah Ingram from Golden Square in Victoria’s Bendigo League and Jacinta Reid from VFLW club Williamstown has further strengthened the side.

“Sarah won a best and fairest at Golden Square under Hawthorn premiership player and PINT footballer Rick Ladson who sent her to us,’’ Nolan said.

“And Jacinta comes to us with big wraps after captaining Williamstown.’’

Of last year’s squad, Nolan expects big seasons from Casey Morris, Erin Lavis and Erin Peach.

“They’ve gone from footy being a bit of fun and social time to being a lot more serious and wanting to improve their game and it’s starting to show,’’ he said.

Plus we’ve got Katie Streader, who is an unbelievable leader of the footy club.’’

Nolan is not surprised at the advancement in Darwin women’s football since its formative years.

“I did an interview three years ago and said then there will be just as many women’s sides as the men in five years time,’’ he said.

“Here we are two years out from that prediction and we’re right on track to have an under-14s, 16s, 18s, Division 1 and 2 and league women.

“A lot of girls up here have been kicking the footy with their brothers in the backyard for a long time without an opportunity to play the game.

“Now they’ve got that opportunity and Australian football has become the No.1 women’s sport in the Northern Territory.’’