SENIOR RUGBY LEAGUE Yet another disrupted season due to the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic saw us stopped in our tracks in June. Our three Elite teams playing in the NSWRL Major Competitions were NSW Cup, Ron Massey Cup and our Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership team.
NSW CUP At the time of the stoppage our NSW Cup team was sitting on the brink of the top 5 and looking at a strong backend surge towards the finals. A very strong win against the previously undefeated Penrith team was linked with some unexpected losses to lower ranked teams to see an inconsistent start to the year. We were very confident that our remaining games would see us in the mix as we had a good record against the teams that would contest the finals.
RON MASSEY CUP A very strong start to the year saw us sitting in 3rd position when the competition came to a halt. A couple of losses in June was a hit to our confidence but knowing the strength of the squad we know we would have been there or thereabouts going into September.
HARVEY NORMAN WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP Our women did us all proud with only one regular season loss by two points to Minor Premiers Central Coast to sit second going into the finals at the time the competition stopped. We looked a big shot for the title and very keen to avenge our only loss in the big end of season games. On the back of this we will have 13 women playing in the 2021 NRLW for various teams. We were very fortunate and proud to have numerous representative players and staff in 2021. Congratulations to the following: ● City Men’s – Kane McQuiggin, Jack Miller, Kamren Cryer ● City Women’s – Taina Naividi, Stephanie Ball, Filomina Hanisi, Simaima Taufa, Jocephy Daniels, Darren Borthwick (Coach), Aaron Dsouza (Physio) ● Country Womens – Keeley Davis, Jade Etherden, Matilda Power ● City Girls – Fatefehi Hanisi ● Indigenous All Stars Women’s – Taliah Fuimaono ● NSW Women’s – Simaima Taufa, Filomina Hanisi, Keeley Davis ● NSW Girls – Fatefehi Hanisi
26 | MOUNTIES GROUP
| 2021 Annual Report
Special thanks must go to all the players, coaches, managers, trainers, staff, families and friends for their commitment and dedication to the season, I know we are all itching to get back in 2022 to stake our claim again. Many thanks to Glenn Cox and our superb array of Corporate Partners whose support has enabled us to continue to strive to be at the top of our game. Lastly, thanks to the Board and Executive for the continued support for our Rugby League Program. Bring on 2022!
CHRIS HUTCHISON
