By Kirra Livingstone
NEW Beerwah Bulldogs Open Women’s team coach, Ray Ballantyne, says he is looking for the team to “step it up” in the 2024 season.
With 20 years of coaching experience under his belt and a competitive flare Ray said he was excited about the team’s potential, which made the finals in 2023.
Ray has been with the Bulldogs since 2015, and has coached at least one junior team every year since, but this will be his first senior squad appointment.
Previous to moving to Queensland, he also coached many teams in the Canberra area, as well as a junior development officer at the Canberra Raiders.
He said his new challenge would be to lift the team’s competitive spirit.
“I’ve been looking at upping the competitiveness in the team and really taking it to the next level,” he said.
“The goal is to really strengthen our side and take on the likes of Kawana, Caloundra and Caboolture.
“Last year was a good year making the finals but definitely we want to step it up and really amp up the focus in the club.
“I’m not there to play around and play some footy, I’m there to get the girls to win.”
Pre season training will resume on January 16, and Ballantyne wants to ensure the team retains as many of last year’s players as he can, to ensure Beerwah continue to have a strong women’s side.
“We’ve had a couple clubs going after our girls, and there’s been some uncertainty around some players,” he said.
“But I’ve put in a lot of work ringing around to secure the girls and make sure they are comfortable.”
“We’ve definitely lost one player to another club, and a couple of girls who were at the back end of their career wondering if they were going to come back or retire.
“But we’ve got a lot of young girls coming through as well through our younger grades, so the future is pretty bright.”
The new coach said the women’s team has been building up their skills in the last few years, and would love to welcome new eager women players to come to their preseason training to give it a go.
“We aren’t saying there won’t be a team, and we aren’t desperately recruiting, but anyone who has ever considered playing is more than welcome to come to pre season training to give it a go and see if it’ll be right for you,” he said.
Ray said there won’t be new recruits from other clubs this season.