The inaugural Gridiron NSW Women’s League kicked off in 2013 with four teams and over 100 dedicated and committed players and coaches coming together to produce a competition that is going to grow from strength to strength as the seasons continue.
Players came from several different sporting backgrounds to take part in the league with many having little or no knowledge of the game of gridiron. Most started from scratch and over the course of the season the quality of football increased as they learnt the game and formed a bond with their team mates and coaches. The four teams to kick off the Inaugural season where the Phoenix, Cobras, UTS and Raiders.
Raiders
The Raiders finished the season with two wins from their nine games however it was their level of commitment that will stand them in a good position to improve in 2014. Coach Tommy Larkin said of the team, ‘They worked so hard and got better every week. I am proud to be part of history for Gridiron NSW with these great players.’
As a team they grew in confidence each week and should take great pride in knowing that they can match it with the other teams, especially considering they beat the Phoenix in Week two 44-6. If the girls build on this confidence anything is possible for season two.
There were a few standouts in the team which will also help them going forward. Katherine Mill is a Running Back for the Raiders and Coach Larkin remarked, ‘Katherine had such raw power and energy. Even when cornered she was still able to gain huge yards and never gave up.’ She could also be found at linebacker where she was one of the hardest hitting players and could stop anything that came her way.
Aynslee Rodger played both offensive and defensive line. She is one of the hardest working linesmen with Coach Larkin saying, ‘Every week she would come down an hour early with our quarterback Stacey Speer to go through plays and technique. She is determined and wears the Raiders jersey with pride.’
Kate Gardiner was a Free Safety and each week came out on the field and proved that you did not have to be the biggest person to make the play. She has a big heart and even bigger courage. Larkin mentioned, ‘She proved it is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the fight in the dog.’
The Raiders will be a team to watch next season as they continue to grow in confidence.
UTS
Tiffany Bosco is the UTS coach and both she and the team can not wait for next season to start. Coach Bosco said, ‘I have been around gridiron in NSW since it started 30 years ago and really enjoy seeing how new players fall in love with the game and the ladies from this season were no different. I had my players asking me when preseason starts for next year about 10 minutes after our last game finished!’
It is enthusiasm like that which will see the Gridiron NSW Women’s League grow from strength to strength as new players and teams join the competition.
The UTS team showed a lot of heart during their first season with a couple of games where they were very short on numbers and most of the players had to play both offense and defense. Special stand outs included Teina Clark who was both Safety and Running Back. She is a monster of a tackler and loves contact weather it be making hits, intercepts or tackles. And when it comes to running the ball she has a great step and scored many touchdowns in the season.
Team Captain Joana Malolo played Centre and defensive line. Coach Bosco mentioned, ‘She is an inspiration to the rest of the team and is a rock in our offense. She was a hard solid player on both sides of the ball who never gave up.’
Cindy Whiteley was a jack of all trades with Coach Bosco saying, ‘She played Linebacker and everywhere else!’ If she blitzed she got in the backfield and made great tackles while she was everywhere on defense. It was her versatility that was such an asset to the UTS team. She played where ever she was needed and made a difference in every spot.
Next season can not come quick enough for this team so the opposition better be ready when they meet the ladies from UTS in 2014.
Cobras
The Newcastle based Cobras had a slow start to the season losing their first two games by big margins. The Phoenix beat them 44-6 then the UTS team dished out a 36-0 whitewash. Most teams would probably throw in the towel after a season start like that however to the Cobras credit they rallied around one another and won five of the next six games to get them into the inaugural Opal Bowl!
Coach Chris J Bondin said of the team, ‘These Cobra ladies taught me never to stop believing. The commitment the girls showed was second to none, to the point where they were even training with the men. These girls reignited a fire in me for this sport.’
In a team that proved that anything is possible, there are always a few stand outs that make a difference each week. The team MVP was Candice Clay who was unstoppable on both sides of the ball. When she carried the football girls bounced off her and when she defended she put hit after hit on. She was also the leading point scorer for the Cobras.
The Coaches Award went to Ashlee Rehbein who started the season as a Wide Receiver then moved into Running Back and quickly became a force. With blinding speed, once she broke the defenses containment she was off like a rocket. Ashlee also scored the teams first touchdown which happened to be a 60+ yard intercept return.
The Players Player Award went to Matilda Quist who was one of two originals from the very first session over 14 months ago. Matilda’s ability to read plays from the Safety position made her a very valuable asset to have on the field.
Coach Bondin remarks, ‘Personally I can not wait till next season and to see the league hopefully expand to more teams. I also can not wait to see how each team improves and I am already planning the preseason.’
Looking towards next season the Cobras need to step up their passing game. They had a very solid running attack however with a potent passing game they could be unstoppable. This would see them as hot contenders to go one better and lift the Opal Bowl for 2014.
Phoenix
The Phoenix created its own piece of Gridiron history in 2013 by winning the inaugural Gridiron NSW Women’s League Opal Bowl defeating the Cobras 28-12.
It all started back in May for the Phoenix when they put together a team of ladies who learnt to live and love the game. Their skill levels increased from week to week as they understood the game of football.
Quarterback Nikki Morley was a passing QB from game one and regularly had completions of 15+ yards. She was also the leading rusher and scored multiple touchdowns for the Phoenix. Nikki had poise in the pocket and was patient waiting for plays to develop and if she needed would scamper for positive yards.
Team Captain and spiritual leader Julia Wislon was forced to play Centre and Middle Linebacker in the first four games due to a shortage of players and was an immovable object for any inside run attempts. Coach Brian Harwood says of Julia, ‘She has picked up the game better than most first year male players I have ever coached or known.’
Bojana Mali was a stand out Wide Receiver and was considered one of the best in the league scoring five touchdowns of 40+ yards. She also featured at Running Back where she had speed and vision to hit gaps and had an ability to make defenders miss. Mali has had great cover as a Cornerback and when used as a blitzing OLB she used her speed and step to make blockers miss and affect the passing game.
The Phoenix team is versatile across the park with most players being used in several different positions when required. This is one reason why they were so successful in 2013. Coach Harwood is full of praise for his team when talking about the stand outs mentioning, ‘I could have added two or three more players as I do believe that the Phoenix has the No.1 QB, Centre, Left Offensive Guard, Defensive End, Defensive Back and Wide Receiver in the league.’
When talking about the teams win in the Inaugural Opal Bowl Coach Harwood says, ‘Well firstly thank you and commiseration to the Cobras who played well to the end however the Phoenix offense rolled when it had to and made the plays necessary to keep drives alive. Our offense swarmed and only allowed the Cobras a few big plays.’
Coach Harwood continued, ‘It is a humbling and rewarding feeling after taking a group of women who had no idea of the game and turned into a football team. Self belief and faith in their team mates made them into the Inaugural Opal Bowl Champions!’
Judging by the four teams who played in the league in 2013 we can be sure that the 2014 season is going to be bigger and better as the players continue to improve and fall in love with this amazing sport.
When we talk about Gridiron in NSW from now on, people will be asking, ‘Do you mean the men’s or women’s league.’
Roll on Season two in 2014!