A GROUP of Bega “Chicks” can’t wait to get onto the rugby league paddock.
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The Bega Roosters ladies’ league-tag side has been training well and is ready for the 2012 season.
The team, to be known as the Bega Chicks, is coached by Andrew Badullovich and his wife Trudi is captain.
Trudi said the side was prepared for round one.
“It’s been going fantastically and on paper, we have a full team,” she said.
“We have eight girls at least at training each week.”
The Badullovichs are newcomers to the Bega Valley, but have a wealth of rugby league experience.
Andrew played for the Moruya Sharks and was, ironically, a danger man whenever he played against the Roosters.
He said he was proud to coach the Bega Chicks.
“We not only want to get this started in Bega, we want to establish it and build on it – we’ve taken a long-term view,” Andrew said.
“I’m super happy with the nucleus base we have to expand on.”
In the past few years, Trudi has been a driving force behind ladies taking part in the Group 16 competition.
Her involvement began at the Moruya club and has continued at the Roosters.
A number of league-tag exhibition matches were held last year, but the competition is set to become serious.
Full sides will take to the field and the ladies will play proper rugby league rules.
Trudi said she raised the idea of women playing footy when the Moruya club was “going poorly”.
“One day we tried a touch footy match and then we encouraged girls to have a run at rugby league,” she said.
“All of a sudden, the gate takings doubled and we had a good response.
“The following year, Group 16 was trying to get a ladies league-tag comp going.”
Trudi has also tasted success on the field, winning a premiership and the best and fairest trophy at the Narooma Devils last year.
Her background in the sport includes attending renowned football school Erindale College, where she captained the school Oztag and rugby union sides to the ACT Inter-School Championships.
She was also a member of the Narooma Whales women’s rugby union team in its premiership-winning season.
Trudi said she hopes to continue that winning feeling at Bega, adding with a laugh that she felt a bit under pressure.
“I’m very passionate and I want to win another premiership this year,” she said.
Trudi said she and Andrew had enjoyed the move to the local area.
“The Valley is different, in a good way, and the people here are really lovely.
“The Roosters are fantastic – club president Garry Arkin and the committee have been wonderful in support.”
If you are interested in joining the Bega Chicks, contact Trudi Badullovich on 0428 172 672.
Elsewhere, Tathra club president Peter Finucane has announced the Sea Eagles will be amalgamating with Cobargo Eels to form a ladies league-tag side.
Finucane said there had been keen interest from players in both towns, and he welcomed more to join in.
He said he expected a tough ladies competition in 2012.
“It’s good to see,” Finucane said.
“Just about every club has a league-tag team now which is very good.
“I expect it to be hotly contested – they are not mucking around.”
For more information about the Tathra/Cobargo league-tag team, contact Finucane on 6494 1503 or Rob Miller on 0421 498 242.