Off-season update for the HWRU (Hunter Women's Rugby Union):
Lots of big news for the girls - the biggest two stories would be the re-emergence of Lake Macquarie Roos Girls & the player exodus from the Uni women's team. Below are the current team situations.
Lake Macquarie Roos - their FB page indicates that they will have a team next year. The Roos have been out of the comp for a few seasons so this is great news that they will be returning. They have acquired some former experienced Roos girls playing at another club as well as some other club players who have yet to play for the Lake Mac side. According to a direct source they have sponsorship & coaches lined up.
Merewether-Carlton Greens - Merewether will have lost at least two girls for next year due to moving to another state. They lose a couple of very experienced players there. However, they will gain one of Uni's 2012 starting back rowers along with I believe 1 or 2 former Greens players coming back into Rugby. Coaching wise that is an unknown for me at this stage.
Wanderers Two Blues - Very difficult to get a gauge on where Wanderers are at but they seem to be the only club with the least disruptions to player numbers. I expect them to have predominately the same squad next year with perhaps a new recruit or two.
University Seahorses - the big story with Uni is the player exodus of about 10 players. The back line of Uni still have the halves & fullback but the rest have moved on. The vast majority of the back line have moved to the Roos. Uni's predominantly preferred starting forward pack will remain the same though, there are two NSW Country players who had season ending injuries in 2012 & they'll be back for 2013. Uni have recruited new players which I believe will be used for the back line so it is a case of new back line but same forward pack. Uni will be going for 3 grand final wins in a row - something no women's team has done in the Hunter comp. As far as forwards moving on goes a NSW Country prop (Harps or Roos), a starting flanker (Greens), & myself (Harps) - all three of us are moving on.
Hamilton Harps - Hamilton will be hit for 2013 in the forwards as a few of those girls originally were Roos players who'll be heading back there. They'll also be hit in the backs with the regular starting 10 in England till after the season ends & another very handy outside back moving with her partner out of state. Hamilton will pick up myself from Uni & possibly a prop from Uni who is still mulling over whether to go to the Roos or not. Hamilton are known to play ad lib Rugby & can be quite a dangerous side when they stay focused. The team still has some very experienced players in the forwards & some very good young fast players in the backs.
On a personal note I came to my choice to leave Uni after thinking about my position in the Uni team. I've fallen out of favour when it comes to team selection no matter how hard I train or play. Leaving Uni is something I never thought I'd do, I have been a little bitter that it has come to this. I went away with Hamilton to Byron Bay & those girls clearly need me more than Uni does. Harps have struggled a bit in recent times. I'm only one player but I know there I'll get put to better use. I could never stop supporting the Uni boys as I love the club so I'll be jointly supporting the Hawks boys & the Uni boys. The Hamilton girls certainly are a colourful & friendly bunch so I know I'll have a good time
One thing is certain, with all the player movement & some of the reasons behind some players leaving - the games, which are already pretty intense given the rivalries, will be a bit spicier.
