Teams from the Far West Academy of Sport travelled to Canberra recently to play against three Raiders pathways teams.
The Raiders Laurie Daley Cup (Under 15s Boys) and Raiders Under 16s Boys Viking Squad took on their respective Far West Academy teams, while a Raiders 17s Girls team made up of players from the club’s Lisa Fiaola Cup squad, Riverina Bulls and Monaro Colts played a Far West Academy Girls team.
The Far West Academy teams also had the opportunity to watch the Raiders NRL team’s Captain’s Run before their games.
Raiders Pathways and Performance Manager Tim Wykes said the day was a success.
“The FWAS Academy organiser Miranda Richardson contacted me to arrange a trial game to complete their program,” Wykes said.
“I thought it would be great as I know the area they come from, through teaching at Nyngan and Lightning Ridge. I am also aware of the challenges they face in regard to travelling and playing quality opposition. I was more than happy to accommodate the request.
“The Raiders Laurie Daley Squad and Under 16’s Boys Viking Squad played the two respective FWAS squads – the games were of a great standard and all players were challenged by the intensity of the game."
Raiders NRLW coach Darrin Borthwick said both organisations got a lot out of the games.
“We are very blessed to have three Lisa Fiaola Cup teams in our footprint with Monaro, Riverina and our Raiders team,” Borthwick said.
“We took the opportunity to offer the Riverina and Monaro girls another game, their season is only three or four games. One thing I’ve learnt especially out here is that the girls want to play more footy.
“We made the decision to ask eight Riverina players, eight Monaro players to join six of the Raiders Lisa Fiaola Cup players to form a team. They came in for a couple of training sessions and some of the girls got to put on a Raiders jersey for the first time and be put through a couple of days of probably different training than they are used to.
“They gelled really well, it was terrific for them to play against Far West and it was good to have Far West here. They are very similar to us with what the girls have to do to travel to play the game they love. We had a chat to those girls before the game and we recognise that they are the same, some of them also have to travel three to four hours in a car to get to training.
“The game was played in really good spirits and it was really good to see. Women’s football is thriving, so it was good to be able to see it from another area and to be able to bring together what we did with the three teams was great.
“Hopefully that is something we can continue to do year to year. It’s just another example of how quick our pathways are moving and the opportunities we are able to give young females to play the game and represent our club.”
