Kangaroos out to change the game as CDRL Women’s kick off
REIGNING Cairns District Rugby League premiers Kangaroos are out to change the narrative around body size and player position when the 2022 women’s competition kicks off on Saturday.
Six teams will contest the second season, with grand finalists and long-time women’s powerhouse Ivanhoe Maidens shock withdrawals.
Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks have replaced the Smithfield club, while Mareeba and Atherton have joined forces to create a Tablelands team with enough depth to compete over the full season.
At Kangaroos, who have welcomed a number of displaced Maidens to their ranks, the goal is not just about winning, but changing how the women’s competition is viewed by the players.
“It’s trying to change the mindset,” said coach Flori King-Smith. “It’s setting good habits from preseason that takes us the way through.
“We’re trying to change some of the perception. It’s not that bigger players have to be front-rowers, but its doing the work to be faster and stronger.
“We had a great pre-season, we’ve seen some good engagement from the girls and a lot of enjoyment.”
Nine Kangaroos players were recently part of the Cairns Foley Shield team.
The clash between Kangaroos and Mossman-Port Douglas will kick off the livestream of the CDRL match of the round on the Cairns Post website.
The A-grade game will feature two teams who are pushing to prove their premiership contender status.
The Sharks won premierships in 2018 and 2019, and while they reached the semi finals last season are keen to lift the trophy again.
Kangaroos are the most successful club in the CDRL, but haven’t won the title in almost a decade.
The action kicks off at noon on Sunday.