The Illawarra Steelers kicked off their Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership defence in style, notching a strong first-round win over the Wests Tigers with a sharp mix of youth, experience, and family connection.
With three home games before a six-game away stretch, the plan was to start fast against the Tigers and capitalise on the home ground advantage.
“We couldn’t have started any faster,” head coach Jamie Szczerbanik said.
“Within the first minute we scored, which is great”,
“Which got us rolling on the front foot.”
Up For The Challenge
While admitting his team “probably left a few points out there” in the first half, Szczerbanik said the way they handled challenges was key.
“It was a typical round one game, not everything was going to go our way”.
“It was just about how we responded, and I thought we did that in a positive manner.”
The squad features a promising blend of new and returning talent, with younger players energising the group and senior players leading by example.
“There’s a really good balance,” Szczerbanik said.
“The younger girls are keeping the older girls fresh, and the older girls are showing them how to prepare properly, both mentally and physically.”
Match Centre
Family Connection
Billie Va’a (main picture), an 18-year-old from Wellington, New Zealand, made her HNWP debut in the second row after starring at centre for the Steelers Tarsha Gale Cup side earlier this season.
“We were a bit rusty, but that’s just how round one goes,” Va’a said.
“It was good going on the field and confident knowing I had the senior players around me.
“It’s got me excited for the rest of the season.”
She travels from Sydney with her cousin and teammate, Jessica Patea (pictured above), who is now in her second year with the Steelers. The cousins come from a proud rugby league family and share roots with the Wainuiomata Lions club in New Zealand.
“I’ve been told I’m one of the experienced ones now. I don’t feel like a veteran, but I’m definitely more confident than I was last year, Patea said.”
Looking ahead to this weekend’s clash with the Eels, Szczerbanik expects a tough challenge.
“They’ve got some really good forwards, mobile and physical, and plenty of experience,” he said.
“We’ll need to be sharp, especially through the middle.”
With one win on the board, the Steelers are focused on building momentum and family spirit as the season rolls on.
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Words | Angelina Raula