Ariana Ruru-Hinaki, Grace McFillin, Rueben Cherrington,  Kiara Jetta and April Alan.
Camera IconAriana Ruru-Hinaki, Grace McFillin, Rueben Cherrington, Kiara Jetta and April Alan. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie

Nedlands under-15s rugby union sevens side targets premiership success

Kristie LimWestern Suburbs Weekly

NEDLANDS Rugby Union Football Club under-15 girls rugby sevens team is primed for more premiership success in 2017 after gaining a taste of interstate rugby in the off-season.

Players took part in senior touch rugby competitions across WA and played in an exhibition event in Sydney against local New South Wales teams.

The squad won last year’s under-14s rugby sevens competition.

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Coach Alan McFillin said most players from last year’s under-14s side had returned in 2017 except for three girls.

“The competition is expected to grow from three sides in 2016 to a projected six to eight sides in 2017, we expect many new faces in our opposition sides, which will mean new challenges and competition,” he said.

“With a very close group of players here at Nedlands, our aim is like it should be for all competition age groups and that of course is bringing home another junior premiership to the club.”

McFillin said the pre-season had been strong so far.

“Since coming back, the Nedlands girls have been training and have had one set of trials against Wests,” he said.

“Our side has attracted four new players, although we are always on the lookout for new players interested in playing the fastest growing female rugby sport in the world.”

McFillin said the team hoped to use their experience from the Sydney trip throughout the season.

“(They will pass on) the sacrifices needed to make that step from local to state level then hopefully to the Commonwealth Games, then elite or Olympic level,” he said.

“The Nedlands side will take each week and each game one at a time, the girls will build as the season progresses, and taper coming into the finals series.

“The girls’ goals are as any player junior or senior should be, to train and play their best at every opportunity and the ultimate goal for any side is winning a premiership.”

Nedlands’ 2017 campaign will start on April 29.