As far as coaching candidates go, Wayne Clarke is the perfect mentor to lead the new-look under-12s Vipers into action.
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With a plethora of junior experience under his belt, Clarke can't wait to help his students progress and hopes to kick off pre-season training with a crash course on contact.
He'll cover all bases throughout the Western Women's Rugby League campaign, but thinks tackling technique is up there with the most important facets of play for new athletes.
"I really want to help give them that base in defence," he said.
"I did the NRL's tackle-safe program and that's got some really good technique-based stuff in it.
"Anyone can learn it, and it's my aim to hopefully teach some of these girls. I've had the chance to coach the under-12s rep boys in the last couple of years, and I loved watching them develop."
Last year, female footy players aged 13 and up were eligible to join Vipers, but an influx of interest - as well as the desire to reach players of all ages - has prompted the competition to introduce the new age group.
Clarke's not only confident he'll be able to deliver important information to the girls, but he thinks they'll take it on board quicker than the boys do.
"They listen a lot better than the boys," he laughed.
"There's a lot of girls really keen and interested to play. There's about 26-27 in this age group who are interested."
It makes sense that women's rugby league is expanding as the rapid growth throughout the country is there for all to see.
"It's a great avenue for these girls to take because we often lose female players to union once they reach a certain age," he said.
"NRLW is really starting to blossom and it's becoming that new girls sport. Lots of girls are picking it over netball now."
The Western Women's Rugby League competition was initially slated for this year, but COVID-19 has forced it to be pushed back to the start of 2022.
Nonetheless, the fast-growing league is still set to kick off next year and Clarke will be front and centre whenever training is underway.
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