Professionalism push as Gold Stars kick off exciting new era
THE North Queensland Gold Stars have saddled up and headed south for the historic opening round of the QRLW.
The side are taking on Ipswich Brothers this afternoon in a game that marks a new era for female rugby league players across the state.
Coach Gavin Lloyd said he’d addressed his players on the gravity of the newly formed QRLW.
“I explained to them that this competition is a selection pathway to women’s Origin so they need to put their best foot forward and start becoming really professional with their efforts,” Lloyd said. “Most of them have bought into it. A lot of them are coming to an extra training, some have changed their diet.”
Lloyd said the side travelling south is three or four players short of a full-strength outfit.
Stars Shania Power and Steph Mooka are both missing for the contest.
With the team selected from a wide catchment area, getting his chargers together for training has been Lloyd’s biggest challenge in the build up to the season.
“I send the satellite coaches information on what I want them to do that week,” he said.
“From there we do the captain’s run for an hour and then we play.
“We’ve got girls unavailable with work. It’s going to be nearly a new side every week. We’re going to go through a lot of different girls playing for the Gold Stars.”
With the team having only played the one trial match, Lloyd admitted chemistry could take a while to build.
He has also taken it upon himself to ensure every player is getting the most out of themselves.
“A few girls that didn’t trial so well didn’t make the side. That was a learning curve for the girls,” he said.
“The girls have got to realise there’s a step up in professionalism now and they have to try hard with everything they do.”
One of the great stories in the side is Mateeka Nielson.
The quick-thinking hooker relocated from the Northern Territory to North Queensland and is now about to realise her dream.
“She had a Cowboys jersey in the Northern Territory and said at training ‘I’m going to play for them one day’,” Lloyd said.
“She’s turned up to training here and gone really, really well.
“She’s very raw but she’s very keen, which is good.”