IN the three seasons Mick Roels has been involved with the Western Women's Rugby League competition as a Panorama Platypi coach he has been pleased to witness the increased skill levels, but he says it's now time to push for more.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Roels believes the best way to continue to foster the female talent within the region is to increase the length of the WWRL season.
He feels having just five rounds then a final series is not an ideal time-span if the WWRL wants to further develop, attract new players and retain those already involved.
Rather than having the WWRL later in the year after the completion of league tag premierships across Western Division, Roels also suggests it could be staged first.
"I'm hoping we can try and convince them to do a home and away season next year, that way they can get into a bit of a groove, now it's like they just get into the groove and then it's over," he said.
I'm hoping we can try and convince them to do a home and away season next year, that way they can get into a bit of a groove.
- Mick Roels
"We need to get to that point because we need something for the girls to want to do.
"As for when are we going to do it? I reckon we do it at the start of March, get in before all the other sports start. If we run it March to May, that gives us a home and away season and then finals.
"Then they could play league tag after that and we could work it around soccer and AFL if there was a clash and play Saturdays and Sunday."
Roels got involved with the Platypi as coach of the under 15s in the inaugural season. That year, as was the case in 2019, they reached the semi-final staged.
This year the age groups have been altered so Roels now guides the under 16s. A good percentage of his squad are players he has coached in the past, but there are also a lot of new faces.
Though the new players bring athleticism and enthusiasm, teaching them the skills specific to rugby league takes time. That is part of the reason why Roels wants to see a longer season.
"There are so many new girls to the team this year compared to last year, it's just getting them to the right spots and it's hard because with such a short season you can't build anything," he said.
"We've got girls here from AFL this year and a couple of new ones from soccer - they love the contact, but it takes them awhile to learn.
"It's a lot of changes and it takes so much more time."
Roels' under 16s are still chasing their first win of the season and hope it will come this Sunday when the Platypi host the Midwest Brumbies at Jack Arrow Oval.
His side must win that game if they are to keep their semi-final hopes alive.