Central West Rugby Union’s Women’s Summer Sevens Series will reach its crescendo in Friday night’s final round at Endeavour Oval and for the region’s chief executive officer Matt Tink, there’s one overwhelming feeling leading in.
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In his eyes it’s been a resounding success, and that’s hard to argue when you break it down.
Nine of the 11 clubs that contested the regular season’s Westfund Ferguson Cup have taken to the field in the series, which has run on Friday nights throughout November across the region – Orange City, Cowra, Canowindra and Bathurst have all hosted Southern Division rounds.
That level of participation in itself is a box ticked for Tink, but the fact the competition’s unearthed some incredible talent by opening itself to any female athlete – not just those registered for clubs during the 2018 season – is another massive win.
While the regular season’s stars have largely proved their chops in the modified version of the code there’s been no shortage of newcomers impressing, which Tink says he’s certain will continue in the final rounds.
For instance, netball and league tag star Lilly Porch was seriously impressive for Orange Emus on the competition’s opening night at Pride Park, although that’s hardly surprising considering she comes from a rugby family.
Last week at Bathurst’s Ashwood Park Tabua Tuinakauvadra scored a number of tries for Emus on the back of her speed and strong fend, her sister Milika starred for the greens during the regular season too.
The clubs have embraced it which has been good.
- Central West CEO Matt Tink
Rugby league regular Alicia Carr and Lil McIntosh, who has a netball and touch football background, were superb for Bulldogs too.
“I think we’ve attracted some athletes, girls who would be good at any sport, and it is pleasing to see a few of them come out of the woodwork and have a crack at rugby,” he said.
“There are a lot of girls from different sporting backgrounds. They will choose whatever sport they choose in the end I guess, but you can see when you throw an athlete out there they make a bit of a difference.
“The clubs have embraced it which has been good, there have generally been supporters at all the grounds and there are a few kids running around as well, so it’s been great … it’s a good little Friday out.
“We’ve always said that this is participation, not for sheep stations.”
Friday’s finals night is expected to feature all five of the series’ Southern Division – Emus, Orange City, Bulldogs, Cowra and Canowindra – along with three of the Northern Division sides, which has been fought out between Narromine, Mudgee, Coolah, Dubbo Kangaroos and Dubbo Rhinos.
Friday’s final round of games kicks off from 6.30pm on Friday night, with Emus’ Wallas sides to run around in a number of curtain-raisers from 5.30pm.
Tink also added he’s hopeful the competition will return and, potentially, be built on after the inaugural edition.
“We’ll do a little bit of a review, we’ll ask the clubs if they’re keen to do it again because we’re very conscious of putting too much on our volunteers,” he said.
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