ANNA Gleeson hopes her women’s 30s team can fly under the radar at the State Cup in Port Macquarie this weekend.
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Gleeson coaches and plays in the team, and is looking for a strong performance on home soil. It’s the first time in “a few years” Port Macqarie has fielded a team in the division, giving players more incentive to do well.
Plenty of training under their belts also helps.
“We’ve been training pretty hard,” Gleeson said. “Twice a week for eight weeks. Everyone has been enthusiastic.”
The players are at that age where training becomes an outlet from a busy family and working life.
“Now we’re in the senior division it’s a bit different,” Gleeson said.
While Gleeson has been directing things at training up until now, she will be ably assisted on the weekend by John Singh, who will take over when Gleeson is on the field.
“I’ve known him for years,” she said.
It will be a tough couple of days for the team. Eight teams in the women’s 30s division means Port Macquarie will play seven matches in two days. But at least the team won’t have to play off for a division position before the tournament starts, like the opens teams do.
“We’re old. We have to have some perks,” Gleeson said. “But I like to think we’ll make the finals on the Sunday.”
Wallsend would be a strong opposition, she said.
“I played with a few of those girls during the State of Origin earlier this year,” Gleeson said.
“The Sydney sides are always strong, too.”