Rams selectors named a 15-strong squad to take part in the nines contest at Wagga in a fortnight, the players named after the hugely successful opening round of the Western CRL Women’s Nines competition at Dubbo last weekend.

Orange Hawks dominates the squad with six representatives, while Dubbo CYMS, Westside and Bathurst St Pat’s members make up the rest of the team.

CRL western region manager Peter Clarke said the naming of the Rams women’s squad, which includes a host of players that represented Western in the league tag country championships, was a massive step for the game in the area.

“A Western invitational tackle side has played previously … in an exhibition 13-a-side game against a Sydney side at Parkes as a curtain raiser to an Eels versus Sharks game in either 06 or 07,” Clarke said.

“It was a massive draw card, but at that stage there weren't any female specific competitions in the region.

“There won't be a 10 year hiatus this time, the opportunity to play Riverina is another significant step in the development of pathways that builds interest and participation in the ladies game.”

“Thanks to league tag we've been able to consistently grow and establish our female participation base, many of the ladies who've enjoyed league tag are now participating in the nines tackle series.”

Clarke said the Western competition was driven largely by Sue Egan, with eight teams participating in the opening round last Sunday in Dubbo.

The Western ladies will train at Manildra on Tuesday then again after round two of the nines on October 9. They play the Riverina at Wagga on October 13 at 4.30pm.