MOST Panorama Platypi players had not been born when Olivia Newton John sang "Let's get physical" for the first time, but it would still be a most fitting theme song for the Western Women's Rugby League club.
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Being able to tackle and charge into an opposition defensive line for a hit up has been a major draw card for the Platypi and in 2020 that prospect could be even more enticing.
It is because the third edition of the competition is expected to see an age-group revamp. Under 13s and 15s divisions are set to be replaced by under 14s and under 16s.
Panorama secretary-registrar Cas Hanrahan said that will make for an easier transition for under 16s into under 18s. It will make it less daunting for younger players to 'get physical' - something they have a passion for - when stepping up an age group.
"It's yet to be confirmed, but they are looking at 14s, 16s, 18s and opens. It will absolutely help because all the under 15s girls last year were concerned about having to go up into under 18s, especially given the size of some of those under 18s girls," Hanrahan said.
"It puts them on a more even playing field .. it's a big jump physically and some of the girls were a little bit intimidated about that. They will be more comfortable with just being under 16s.
"With that change in ages it will be the same teams as last year playing each other - so the under 13s for example will now be under 14s. They spent all last year learning, for a bulk of them it was the first time they'd played tackle .. so they'll be even better now and they just love it."
While the competition, which is expected to feature five rounds plus a finals series, does not kick off until October 10, Hanrahan said there is already plenty of interest across all age groups.
"The excitement from the girls to be able to do what the boys do is just amazing," she said. "They are absolutely keen to play.
"There are also extra girls who have seen how it has progressed over the past two years and are now 'Yep, we want to play'. I tell them to start in league tag to get their ball skills going and then we can start them on tackle and they'll be laughing."
