Warwick women lead the way in new TRL competition

NRLW superstars will support Cowboys coaches, eager to see the talent pool for fresh season.

FIRST OF MANY: Taylah Brackin, Leanne Brown, Terri Gilbert (coach) Chloe Schultz, Natalia Webb, Maddy Eyre and Candy Woodbridge are the first players to sign up for the 2020 season.

RUGBY LEAGUE: Confidence is one thing Warwick’s newest Cowboys aren’t lacking, with the women’s side set to break new ground during the 2020 season.

It’s the first time the Toowoomba Rugby League will host a women’s competition and Cowboys co-head coach Terri Gilbert said she was eager to see the quality of raw talent around.

“It’s really exciting, Warwick’s got a really big tradition with rugby league and I’m looking forward to having a really exciting year with the girls,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert, a former Australian touch footballer with over 30 years experience on the field, will share coaching responsibilities with former Cowboys’ player Mark Sullivan.

Together the pair are hopeful to form a formidable side during the inaugural season, that will be as much a learning experience for players and officials.

“There’s definitely going to be a competition, and there are teams from Toowoomba that are already training,” she said.

“At the moment round one will start on March 21, but we aren’t sure of the length of the season yet.”

Following the success of the NRLW’s first two season, Gilbert is excited to have the support of Southern Downs juniors Jo Barrett and Steph Hancock.

“We’re looking at getting those girls on-board as our patrons as well, which will be really good and getting some good feedback from people that have played the game at the highest level,” she said.

“We’d like to think that they would get involved but I know that Steph is still playing and I don’t know what her commitments are, and Jo has been retired for a few years so we probably won’t get her but she’s definitely keen to be part of it.

“She just wants to know ‘where do you need me’ and ‘when is it, and I’ll be there’.”

Despite having enough players interested to field a side, the club are looking to recruit more players.

“I’ve coached for two years previously in Bundaberg and I would say you need 30 people but we’re thinking it’s only a 10 week comp,” she said.

“But with injuries and other things that come up, you’d like to know you’ve got a good 25 signed on.”

Regardless of prior playing experience, Gilbert is encouraging anyone to give the sport a go.

“It’s the perfect opportunity to be involved in the inaugural year of the competition because everyone will be starting off so there will be a lot of people that have never played before,” she said.

“So that’s the year to get on-board if you’re keen to have a go just come down and meet some new people, and have a bit of fun.”

Training starts Thursday night at 6pm at the junior RLFC fields.

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