Western Clydesdales locked and loaded for inaugural BMD Premiership season

The Western Clydesdales will make history when they run out at Clive Berghofer Stadium this Saturday. See what makes the team so special here.

Western Clydesdales players (from left) Leianne Tufuga, Georgia Sim, Tara Reinke and Kim Dore are ready for the BMD Premiership season. Picture: Kevin Farmer

History will be made this Saturday when the Western Clydesdales run out for their inaugural BMD Premiership game when they take on the Central Queensland Capras at Clive Berghofer Stadium.

After assembling a dream team filled with massive signings since they were first announced as one of the two newest teams entering the BMD Premiership back in October, there is an undeniable buzz around Toowoomba with fans eager to see their newest team.

“It is surreal to have the excitement around this team, women’s sport, especially at a local level, has never done this,” Clydesdales coach Mitch Sargent said.

“People that are non-rugby league fans are starting to speak and are excited to watch this team play.

“That will do more good into the future with young players and supporters giving the girls’ game the respect because they put in the same amount of time and effort as the males do and it is just great to see them get the recognition.”

With several players in the side boasting NRLW and rep experience, Sargent expects the players will thrive off playing alongside each other and expects them to grow together.

“For them to have a combination and play alongside their teammates with Ali (Brigginshaw), Kezie (Apps) and Steph Hancock, it will certainly help those individuals as well as they are pushing forward to play or gain State of Origin selection,” he said.

Ali Brigginshaw was one of the Clydesdales’ first signings ahead of their inaugural campaign. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Sargent also emphasised the importance of building the foundations in the inaugural season to leave a long-lasting legacy for years to come.

“It’s sort of been surreal to be in this position in our club,” Sargent said.

“It is not just about this season, these players that we have brought into this team and our club, they can play on field but their ability for them to create a strong foundation for our club over the next few years is so important.

“They are all fantastic people, they get around the girls, they become teammates straight away and that is the most pleasing thing, that everyone we have brought in has added something so unique that we needed it to have a strong foundation.”

Despite making countless big-name signings, Sargent believes there isn’t any special secret to convincing players to join the Clydesdales, insisting the club has endeared itself to players instead.

“I haven’t had a lot to convince them, obviously there’s some key connections in our team that has helped to get some players along the line,” he said.

“Overall, and this is the exciting thing for the club, players and player managers are approaching us to be a part of this team due to not only the personnel we have signed, but the sort of club we are.

“We are a start-up club in obviously the Hostplus Cup and BMD and being that country feel, there are a lot of country girls throughout Australia that understand what we go through and the distance our players and volunteers travel to play rugby league.

“This club, to a lot of people has really hit a soft spot and they just want to make sure they can give back and help our club for now and into the future.”

Sargent hopes his side can be competitive and make a finals push this season, but is aware of the challenges the team will face in their first season.

Western Clydesdales CEO Shane Sullivan with BMD Premiership signing Paige Edwards.

“Every team has the ambitions to play finals but honestly it sounds cliche but we are taking it a week at a time,” he said.

“We want to go out there every single week and compete the hardest we can and the results will take care of itself.

“As a start-up team, it is so crucial that everyone plays a key role and plays their best week-in week-out.

“It is not just the 17 on the field each week that will get us the results, it is the whole team and that is one thing we have been clear of.

“The teams we are coming up against, they have got players who have been at the same club for four or five years with connections and combinations, so they know how each other play.

“Us with having girls coming in from everywhere, that is the difference for us.

“We have got a really good squad together but how quickly we can gel and play and understand each other’s game is the important thing.

“So that is why across the park and the whole squad, our depth will be so important and that everyone plays to their ability.”

The Clydesdales and Capras clash will kick-off at 1.25pm this Saturday in what is expected to be a blockbuster day of action at Clive Berghofer Stadium.