MANDY Scott has played more games of rugby than she could recall, but come next March the Bathurst Bulldogs scrumhalf will compete in matches that will no doubt rank amongst her career highlights.
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She will join talents from across the Central West in the Blue Bullettes representative side which will head to Christchurch.
The squad of 25 women, who will join the Central West men’s representative side on tour, are set to take part in a number of games as well as getting the chance to work with Super Rugby club the Canterbury Crusaders.
Though Scott has played her share of representative rugby, never before has a women’s squad she’s been a part of been handed such a big opportunity.
“No we've never done anything like this before, I've never actually touched this scene in my career at all actually, so I'm super pumped,” Scott said.
The experienced campaigner said the tour, which is slated to become a bi-annual event, is yet another important step in promoting the women’s game in the Central West.
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It is something that Central West chief executive officer Matt Tink has worked hard to do since taking over the helm. This tour, along with the formation of the 11-team Ferguson Cup and initiatives such as the Women’s Summer Sevens, are things Scott is grateful for.
“I am actually quite surprised we get to tour with the men, but at the same token, Tinky is just fantastic for women's rugby and country rugby in general,” Scott said.
“He's kicking goals left, right and centre and has achieved so much in the first year, he’s so active in his role, that I’m not surprised he’s got us here.
“He’s constantly thinking what he can do for country rugby, and I’m so excited to see what he’s got in the future for us. This is just the start of it.
“He’s got his head in the right spot and we’ll be forever grateful for everything he’s doing for us.”
Scott is one of eight Bathurst Bulldogs selected in the Central West women's touring squad, joining Nicole Schneider, Kate Gullifer, Edwina Ulberg, Mel Waterford, Courtney Auld, Teagan Miller and Ebony Fenton (shadow).
CSU's Claire Woolmington was also picked.
But even before the final squad was named, Scott was excited.
“There were actually over 50 women who tried out. This time last year when we first tried out, it was pretty much who was there was in, there was only a couple that didn't make it,” she said.
“Don't get me wrong, the girls that were there and we played with this year were very handy, but it’s just massive what is happening now, it’s huge, it’s great.
“The women are being respected in places now. Growing up, when I first started, blokes were like 'What are these women doing on the footy field?'. Now we’ve got the full support from our club, all the old boys in our club, it’s phenomenal.”
As skipper of the premiership winning Bulldogs, Scott is pleased to see her club rewarded with such strong representation in the touring party.
Though a number of them, such as Ulberg, Waterford and Miller, have plenty of representative experience, other Bulldogs are set wear a Central West jumper for the first time.
“This year we put in a big effort with our girls, we expected things from them and demanded things from them and they all rose to the challenge,” she said.
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“Seeing these new talents is great - here’s an example. Kate Gullifer, who played her full second season this year of rugby, went and tried out for Central West this year and is in the squad.
“She has a netball background. We’ve worked with her all season and we’re extremely happy with what we’ve got from here. I don’t know what the run-on side is, but I know she’s going to be used very influentially.
“She plays five-eighth for us, but there’s nothing stopping her from playing fullback, even in the centres - anything. Her defence is just phenomenal.
“She’s picked it up so quick, she’s a natural talent, and she’s a constant thinker as well. You can tell her something and she’ll learn from it.”
The Central West touring party, which also includes Bulldogs’ Joel Harper, Will Oldham, Alex Weal, Harry Peacock, Adam Miles, Peter Fitzsimmons, Harry Webber, Justin Mobbs and coach Dean Oxley, will fly out for Christchurch on March 3.
