It will prove to be valuable pre-season experience for the St Pat’s girls but that doesn’t mean that don’t want to win it.

However, with St Pat’s only starting training two weeks ago coach Mick Armstrong said the trip to Canowindra will be a chance to build some momentum heading into the new Group 10 ladies league tag season.

“It'll be a good event to get back into it again and get some footy under their belts,” he said.

“It's always our first game of the season and we get to play a number of teams from around the region.”

St Pat’s have been drawn in pool B alongside Woodbridge Cup sides Manildra Rhinos and Condobolin Rams, fellow Group 10 rivals Mudgee Dragons and Canberra Rugby League’s Tuggeranong Bushrangers. 

Armstrong said while he’s somewhat familiar with the Woodbridge Cup sides, he knows nothing about the Canberra-based Bushrangers team.

"Yeah some of the teams will be [a bit of an unknown],” he said.

“That's the good thing about it, that you get to go up against teams and players that you haven't gone up against before. 

“We've played a few Woodbridge Cup teams before and they're always a good challenge. 

“Certainty playing a team from Canberra will be interesting. I've got no idea about them.” 

While a third consecutive title is on the line at Canowindra, Armstrong is adamant the pressure isn’t on his St Pat’s side and said the event is about getting plenty of game time under the belt.

“We've always gone really well there, kicking the season off well and giving us a good start [in Group 10]. If we win, that's good. If not, it's still a fun opportunity to give some of the new girls, coming into the team, a run with us and see how they go,” he said.

“I’m unsure whether we’ll be at full strength but we’ll have a fairly decent team.

“It’ll just be a good opportunity to get some tag under our belt. I’m looking forward to seeing how the girls go. It should be a lot of fun.” 

Twenty-two teams are set to compete, with seven Group 10 teams to compete (Bathurst Panthers and Oberon Tigers are no competing), two Group 11 teams, three New Era Cup teams, nine teams from the Woodbridge Cup and one from Canberra for a total of 22 teams.

The first game is at 10am, with the Western Challenge final at 4pm.