THE two Greater Southern Region teams are finalising their preparations ahead of this weekend's CRL League Tag Championships in Yass.
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GSR's under 16s coach Aaron Lucas, from Albion Park-Oak Flats explained how his girls are excited ahead of Saturday's three fixtures against Monaro, Riverina and Western.
"It's the first proper representative league tag game - it's a special moment for them," Lucas said.
"At first, the girls were nervous, but now they can't to get out there.
"They've come together so well, in a very short amount of time.
"Their attitude and approach is professional, especially considering most of them haven't played in this kind of situation before."
Lucas' under 16s GSR team features 10 Group Seven players.
Those 10 are Stingrays' Mackenzie Lear, Dakota Mason, Lilli O'Dea, Bindi O'Hara, Lily Eggleton, Tayleah Handcock and Macey Lee as well as Milton-Ulladulla trio Jordyn Afflick, Taylah Afflick and Lily Rogan.
The 17-person team is rounded out by Collegians' Neave Ferguson, Sophie Rodwell, Rylee Jansen and Tatum Yeo, Camden's Claudia Bush, Narellan's Kiara Bolz and Thirroul's Macy McPherson
"We're going there to win - it'll be awesome to get the result," Lucas said.
"The goal is to get the win, but it'll be a great experience for the girls all the same"
GSR's open women's coach Cheyanne Hatch, from Milton-Ulladulla, echoed the thoughts of her counterpart Lucas and can't wait to see what her team can produce on the day at Walker Park.
"This is the first time we have had Illawarra girls as part of our Greater Southern Region side, which is very exciting, not just for our team, but also for the Illawarra competition," Hatch said.
"I think it will help the growth of league tag in the area - especially for the girls in under 16s, who know there is a pathway for them in the sport."
Eleven players from Cheyanne Hatch's Group Seven side that won both of their matches against Illawarra and Group Six at Berkeley recently, have been picked in the 17-person open women's squad.
Headlining the team are Jamberoo's Lauren Murty, Aimee Barnard, Carly Ryan, Kaela Thomas and Brooke Smith with Kiama's Talia Atfield, Tyler Finn and Alana Glasson, Stingrays of Shellharbour's Bronte Girdler and Albion Park-Oak Flats' Brittany Constable.
Joining these 11 in the side are The Oaks' Rebecca Pollard, Camden's Jenaye Collins, Thirroul's Piper Favelle, Campbelltown City's Keisha Waite, Woonona's Brodie Grogan and Western Suburbs' Sam Grothe.
"We are strong across the park, which I think will make a big difference come Saturday," Hatch said.
"Majority of the girls have played together at a representative level, which should work in our favour.
"I know the girls will work hard for each other, both in attack and defence, as most of them know how each other play."
The GSR under 16s have games at 11am, 12.40pm and 2.20pm, while the open women play at 11.50am, 1.30pm and 3.10pm - with matches being two 20 minute halves.