‘We are the benchmark’: Bears embrace BHP Premiership status

DESPITE being the clear best women’s club side in Queensland for the past half-decade there are no concerns about staying motivated, says Burleigh coach Tahnee Norris.

The Bears open their BHP Premiership campaign away to the Brisbane Tigers on Sunday and enter the new-look competition as early premiership favourites.

It’s an earned air of reverence for a team that has played in the past six grand finals and won five.

And yet that sustained success has not gotten old, Norris says.

“For me it’s quite easy because our group always wants to be the best,” she said.

“We’ve built a culture within the group – they all want to be at Burleigh.

“We’re the ones being chased, we’re always being chased, and that means setting the highest standards.

“We are the benchmark. That’s how we have to look at it and why we try to be at our best all the time.”

The Bears will field a familiar side to the one that has dominated in recent seasons, with two notable additions in second-rower Crystal Tamarua and fullback Tamika Upton.

“Crystal is a Kiwi Fern and played for the Warriors the past few years – she’s an exciting back-rower for us,” Norris said.

“Tameka is an all-out talent at fullback. She was a standout for the Maroons last year and we can’t wait to watch her play.”

Another to keep an eye on is centre Shellie Long; injury cruelled her breakout season last year but now she is back and ready to make up for lost time.

The Bears were boosted by the news this week that star prop Millie Boyle had committed to rugby league over rugby union.

“She’s an absolute talent – not only a fantastic player but also fantastic for the team environment,” Norris said.

“I think it’s great for rugby league that she has made that choice. Now that she’s chosen league she can fully focus on that … obviously that helps us out big time at Burleigh.”

The Bears’ experience will meet the Tigers’ youthful exuberance at Langlands Park on Sunday.

“They’re a young side with a lot of up-and-coming players that have been around the SEQ rep program,” Norris said.

“First game you never know what is going to happen. I think they’ll be tough to play.”