WHEN coaches John Simon and Clay Girdler first started training their Stingrays of Shellharbour under 18s side, they wanted to spread the rugby league gospel with their group of talented young women.
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But as was the talent of this group - highlighted the fast-growing nature of the sport on the South Coast - the pair quickly realised their side wasn't there to just make up the numbers, they were a deadset premiership threat.
After finishing the regular season in third position, behind Corrimal and Milton-Ulludulla, with four wins and five losses to their names, the Rays started their finals assault against Helensburgh.
The Rays proved they were hitting form at the right time of the season, smashing the Tigers 42-18 in the elimination final - setting up a preliminary final against fellow Group Seven club Milton-Ulladulla.
Despite coming in as underdogs, the Rays held their nerve and edged out the minor premiers 20-16, to book their spot in the decider.
Now the only team standing in the way of a premiership in their debut season are Corrimal.
"After performing strongly at the November Nines, we set ourselves a goal of reaching the grand final in the 13-a-side format, which we were quietly confident of achieving," co-coach Simon said.
"Admittedly, it took a while for some of the girls to adjust to the 13-a-side format and it was probably this inexperience that saw us lose some games at the start of the season which we should have won.
"But with five girls playing with the Tarsha Gale side and the rest of the girls starting to click, they started to play the way Clay and I knew they were capable of - it was never a case of ability, rather just playing more consistent each week by getting more time under their belts."
The two teams will lock horns on Saturday from 11.10am at the Collegians Sports Complex, for the right to call themselves the third ever premiers of the Illawarra Division Rugby League under 18s women's competition.
"Regardless of it being your first year or 30th year in a competition, you set out hoping to win it," Simon said.
"It's been an exciting week for all the girls, especially the younger ones.
"A win on Saturday would mean plenty to the club.
"Our women's league tag program has been reasonably successful over the year, without winning it, so a premiership would act as a great stepping stone for future successes at the club.
"Although the men's program has been struggling lately, hopefully this success can transition across to them and the whole club can build towards future glory."
The Rays and Cougars have only met on one occasion so far this season, with the Cougars winning 38-26 at Robert Ziems Park on June 1.