Hull FC Head of Female Pathways, Jack Coates, believes that a place in the Women’s League One Grand Final is richly deserved after a season filled with hard work.
The Black & Whites saw off Widnes Vikings in last weekend’s play-off semi-final, setting up an all-Yorkshire Grand Final with Fryston Warriors next Sunday.
It’s one win apiece for both Hull and Fryston from their previous meetings this season, but both sides will be hellbent on claiming one more victory to secure a place in the Women’s Championship for 2025.
But ahead of a Grand Final appearance, Coates feels an immense sense of pride to lead the group.
“I’m incredibly proud. We set our goals at the beginning of the season and it has been pleasing to see the whole group buy in and all push in the same direction,” he said.
“For me, one of the most pleasing aspects of the season has been the development of the whole group.
“What we’ve seen this year is that the young players who have made the step up have shown no fear in everything that they have done, and the experienced players have supported them with that.”
There have been some standout results for the Women’s outfit this season, and there have certainly been some standout performances.
Not least from the Women’s Player of the Year, Evie Sexton, who, at the age of just 17, has scored 32 tries in 14 games in her debut season at open-age Rugby League.
On the whole, the brand of rugby has been both enjoyable to watch and effective on the field.
“We challenged the group to play with shape on the field but also the freedom to express, and that has led to us playing some great attacking rugby through the year.
“As Pathways Manager alongside Head Coach, that fills me with immense pride.
“It is reward for all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes when you see these young pathway players now stepping into the first-team and standing out.
“I am extremely confident that these players will have long and successful careers in the game and that is credit to all who have supported them in their journeys so far.”
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