WHILE many winter sporting codes across Bathurst have experienced a drop in participation rates due to the coronavirus pandemic, when it comes to league tag at St Pat's it's a different scenario.
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Come the start of the Group 10 Junior Rugby League's league tag competitions on July 19, there will be a host of girls in blue and white lacing up their boots.
It is something that puts a smile on the face of under 13s coach Harry Saban.
"They are unbelievable, the girls are really getting into it. I think the parents are starting to push them back in to sport after a long time sitting at home and not playing," he said.
"They can't wait to get back and get their hands on the ball.
"The 14s have got enough for two sides, the 13s we've got good numbers, but we're just going to stick to one side at the moment."
While Saban has a handful of players returning from 2019, most of his under 13s St Pat's squad will be players new to the sport.
But he knows they will develop over the eight-round competition both in terms of their skill set and their passion for the sport.
"We'll start off with the basics, the fundamentals and hopefully this will progress to some of the girls coming across to the tackle with the [Panorama] Platypi. Tag is very quick, it's a but like touch but a little more skilled because you've got to rip the tag off," he said.
"It's very competitive and there are a lot of pathways as well, if they are interested, they can go a long way."
As for this season, Saban hopes his side can do well enough to qualify for the finals. The Saints home ground has been chosen as the venue for the Group 10 Junior Rugby League semi-finals across all grades and it will host the grand finals as well.
Usually the finals for the tackle and league tag competitions are held on separate days, so Saban hopes the Saints can qualify as many teams as possible to play in front of a home crowd.
"It will be very busy on weekends with boys on the Saturday and girls following on the Sunday. They'll then all play on the same day for finals - I'm not aware of that happening before - but I do know the finals will be here at Pat's ground," he said.
"It's good for the club, the committee are very happy to have everyone back on board. I'm itching to get out there and coach and train and get them all fit and strapped up."
