Blayney Women's Rugby Team Makes History in the Westfund South Cup

Strategic Insights -

The Blayney Rams women's team, made up of experienced and novice players, embarked on a journey to make it to the end of their inaugural season in the Westfund South Cup. The team's athlete, Lauren Newstead, watched her son play rugby league on Saturdays before donning her own boots to play rugby 10s. Newstead's impressive performance, including a hat-trick, secured their first win against the West Wyalong Redbacks on July 6.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Blayney Rams women's team is an inaugural side playing in the Westfund South Cup, consisting of experienced players from the Orange City Lions and women with no prior rugby experience.
  • The team, despite initial struggles with numbers and fluctuating membership, trained hard and managed to secure their first win on July 6 against the West Wyalong Redbacks.
  • Newstead's hat-trick performance in the win was unexpected, as the team didn't have high hopes for the season, with a common goal being to simply make it to the end of the season.
  • The side's journey was marked by difficulty in keeping players, with many fluctuating throughout the season, but enthusiasm and team spirit kept the team going.
  • The team's training and organization were crucial in achieving their first win, with Newstead crediting hard work and determination for their success.
  • The women's side saw playing locally as an advantage, as it allowed them to balance family commitments with their rugby responsibilities.
  • Newstead's son's involvement in a rugby league team allowed her to gain valuable insight into the sport and dedicate time to the Blayney Rams women's team.

Statistics:

  • The Blayney Rams women's team secured their first win in the Westfund South Cup against the West Wyalong Redbacks on July 6.
  • The final score was 29-12 in favor of the Blayney Rams.
  • Lauren Newstead scored a hat-trick in the win.
  • The team, made up of both experienced and novice players, was cobbled together in early 2024 with 3 former Orange City Lions players signing up.
  • The team's initial struggles with numbers were a challenge, with membership fluctuating throughout the season.

Sources:

  • Dominic Unwin, "We did it": how a group of Blayney women made rugby history.