PHOTO
Excelsior Rugby Club’s first ever senior women’s team has won some silverware in their debut season.
They beat Harlequins 56-17 last Friday night in the plate final of the Hanan districts competition.
Manager Barbara Cunningham was stoked to see the team rewarded for their effort throughout the campaign.
"These girls have put their heart and soul into getting on the paddock.
"Some games have been really tough and we’ve had some big injuries, but the heart they play with for the club and themselves is amazing."
She had been massively impressed with the growth of every player.
"When we first started preseason training at the beginning of the year, some of them couldn’t even catch the ball and now they are outstanding players.
"The growth between right at the beginning to now is amazing."
In the regular season, Excelsior won four of their seven games and narrowly missed out on qualifying for the top four.
However, they shrugged off that disappointment and fronted up to beat Celtic 34-27 in the plate semifinal to set up the home final.
Zaria Kira, Keeley Ridley and Shelby Johnston had fantastic individual seasons and all earned selection for the Otago Spirit trial which was held in Dunedin last Saturday.
The success on the field was a credit to a full club effort, Cunningham said.
"The community and, especially, Excelsior Rugby Club, have just got behind these girls, they have supported us immensely.
"The supporters that come out to watch under the lights are amazing.
"The club have wrapped themselves around them.
"Forry [Jason Forrest] who is the prem’s coach, he comes along and does our water, he’s one of our waterboys, same with Richie [Wilson], he’s the [men’s team] medic so he’s now also the medic for the women’s team."
She also expressed her thanks to co-coaches Pete Cartwright and Regan George.
Cunningham and the rest of the team were excited be back on the park in 2027.