Rugby league: Hornets Women's fixtures announced

Photo: Jackie Meredith

Rochdale Hornets Women 2019 team

The Women's League 1 season kicks off on Sunday 19 April, as Rochdale Hornets Women host West Leeds.

There are a total of 14 rounds in the league which includes teams from Hull KR, Wigan St Patricks and Featherstone Lionesses. 

Hornets were set to face Manchester University in a pre-season fixture in February, before the weather postponed the clash.

That friendly has been rearranged to Sunday 8 March and there will be another friendly against Warrington on Sunday 15 March. The team also play in the second round of the Coral Challenge Cup on Sunday 22 March.

Head coach David Chrimes said: "We have been able to recruit a lot of new players.

"Being a young team, some of the players lack confidence in themselves so we are working on this area for them and this should help them on the pitch but also in their life in general.

"Some players are new to rugby league, but we have a couple who have played for other teams, they will add to the team's experience and will hopefully be able to share their experiences with the younger players.

"Our goals for the season are to improve the players fitness within the group and to improve their mental strength by sharing experiences with the older girls.

"Defence this year is also an area where we are looking to improve, and finally to be competitive and with a bit of luck and some hard work we would hope to be challenging to make one of the play-off places."

"The girls are starting to gel now with a lot of new girls playing for us," added Chrimes. "It's imperative that the girls all work together and pull together so we can be competitive as the division is a lot stronger this year

"We are always looking to recruit more players as we need a squad of 25 plus players due to work commitments, illness and injury. We are always looking for player sponsors and support to help us fund the team and be as professional as possible.

"We need to thank the sponsors already onboard who are helping the girls to realise their ambitions and helping to put women sport on an equal footing with the men's game."

Training for Rochdale Hornets Girls age 11-16 is held on Wednesday evenings (starting 11 March) at Hollingworth Academy, with sessions from 5pm-6pm.