Current Western Rams women's coach Jess Skinner has no doubt the region will be represented more and more at the top level in the next couple of years.
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The women's game continues to boom in the western area and the development and quality on show has been recognised with a host of players set to take part in the National Championships at Redcliffe in the coming days.
The championships will feature roughly 300 players from across the country in an open-age and under 19s division, all under the eyes of NRLW scouts and coaches.
Dubbo's Wiradjuri Goannas and Tarsha Gale Cup star Taneka Todhunter will be joined in the NSW Country under 19s side by Orange duo Lilly Baker and Tabua Tuinakauvadra, while Skinner will coach the First Nations Gems side which features Condobolin sisters Nickita and Nickolle Kirby.
That comes a week after Bathurst talent Matilda Power played in the annual open-age City versus Country match.
"It's huge. It means what we're doing is working and we're finally getting girls on the pathways and in multiple different ways, which is great," Skinner, one of the driving forces behind the growth of the women's game in the western area, said.
"It's been a really big reward for our coaching staff and our area."
The Western Women's Rugby League (WWRL) competition has had a major impact on the Rams contingent playing in Redcliffe and it continues to grow.
The fifth edition of the WWRL competition - which includes the Bathurst-based Panorama Platypi - will be held later this year and an under 12s division will join the current under 14s, under 16s, under 18s, and opens.
Skinner is hopeful the WWRL attracts more and more eyes so players in this region aren't forced to make the huge commitment to travel to Sydney regularly.
"We've got a few travelling every week now, but we know for country girls that's not sustainable in the long-term," she said.
"It's about getting them in different pathways that can get them identified by other level coaches and we know the NRL will expand eventually so we want our girls to be nipping at the heels of other girls while still living at home, where they're supported.
"That's what we're trying to build to, getting a spotlight on the Western area because we know there's quality coaches, quality games, a competition, and they can come out us to look and our players will be ready for that."
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
