Edmonton storms home in CDRL women’s return
THE first Cairns District Rugby League women’s competition in a decade has finally kicked off, and the Edmonton Storm has a weapon backing its charge for the first title.
The last time Jason Chilman coached a team, he steered MossmanPort Douglas Sharks to their first CDRL premiership in two decades.
He stepped back after that 2018 triumph, his family gravitating to Petersen Park as he played the role of spectator.
It was a position he had enjoyed for the past few years, but with the return of the CDRLW and with rugby leagueplaying daughters, it was nigh on impossible to resist a return to the sideline.
“They said ‘you coached the boys for so long, now it’s our turn’,”
Chilman laughed.
Chilman warmed his usual spot on the sideline as the Storm edged Ivanhoes Maidens 18-14 to earn the first win of the season.
In the other games, Atherton beat Yarrabah 22-10 and Kangaroos defeated Innisfail 40-26 to sit atop the ladder after the first round.
But the results, while important from a competition standpoint, were the least important facet of that day.
The fact there is a full-tackle rugby league competition for women to play in is big enough, and if it is successful, there’s no reason why it won’t expand in years to come.
“It was so good to see women’s rugby league back and running up here again,” Chilman said.
“There was a time Cairns had the strongest women’s competition in Queensland.”
And the reception, at least at Edmonton, was significant.
“We were in full support of a women’s team,” Chilman said. “They’ve been biting at the bit to get out there and play.
“We have a lot of girls who haven’t played league who played their first games, and we also had a few of the girls come back from playing for the Northern Pride.”
Those players, like Jalleala Riley and Jarketta Smith, are expected to be some of the leaders of the Storm this season, and among the players to watch in the competition.
Edmonton faces its next challenge in the shape of Yarrabah this week, and while the opportunity to play is certainly important, it won’t take long for the competition to heat up.