It takes strength in numbers to create a pride.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
And the Mittagong Lion's Ladies tag team need two more lionesses.
The Lions as a club have battled their way through COVID like any other Highlands sporting club.
President of the Mittagong Lions, Matthew Aiken said numbers haven't been affected too much due to the worldwide crisis, but teams are still needing filling.
"Currently we have healthy numbers in all teams, except our inaugural Ladies Tackle side which is feeling the pinch," Mr Aiken said.
"They started the year with a great launch but for numerous reasons numbers have declined.
"The club only today reached out to group six to gauge any interest from other clubs that may not be fielding ladies tackle sides.
"That all said, we are still hopeful for a team, we just need the girls to turn up now.
"The club will continue to nurture the nucleus of the team indefinitely. So any players over 17 years old looking to have a run at a great club, they would be welcome here at the Lions."
The Ladies Tag side goes from strength to strength each year.
- Mittagong Lion's President, Matthew Aiken.
The Lions are notorious in nurturing home grown talent and give every opportunity they have readily available to their players.
This is a great opportunity for any player, of any skill set.
"If you've never played before, we have highly skilled coaches that will help all new players to the game reach their full potential," Mr Aiken said.
"We're not about to put a new player in the front row, but if they're super keen, well that's another story! And what away to start your career!
"With a shortened season it, will be over before you know it.
"It will lay a great foundation to see if you're keen to back it up for a full season next year. Hopefully you will want to with us."
The game of ladies tag is continuing to go from strength-to-strength and an excellent way to introduce women into the game. It's still physical, but you'll have excellent leaders in the group who will be looking out for you.
"The Ladies Tag side goes from strength to strength each year," Mr Aiken said.
"They are a great group of ladies who the club treasures.
"The team is led by Rhiannon O'Neil. This is their fourth season.
"Their coach Corey Shepherd does an amazing job who is very experienced. He lives and breathes the values of the Lions.
"Here at the Lions, we see all our coaches as role models to our players, and Corey is such."
Like their name, the Lions showed the heart of one during this pandemic. But, they refuse to leave anyone a part of their pack behind.
"We survived the pandemic, but several major sponsors took huge hits so we feel for them," Mr Aiken said.
"We encourage our Lion's community to support our sponsors where they can.
"We have implemented our COVID-19 protocols and are taking it all very seriously.
"We obviously couldn't get around each other during COVID-19, but we have group chats that we relied on to check in.
"Our players, coaches and coaching staff's well-being was paramount to the committee. That became the first and foremost priority of the club.
"We didn't really entertain the thought of playing this season at the height of the pandemic, but here we are, so I can only thank god, players and the committee."
With the thought of playing coming to fruition, the Lions are hoping to get back on the path or normality, but it's still difficult to say when that will be.
"It's tough to answer, but hoping some easing of restrictions on July 1 will suit us," Mr Aiken said.
"We hope we can have full contact come this Thursday night (July 2) at training and we will be able to entertain crowds at our first home game.
"We had a overwhelming response from players wanting to play again so we're back playing come July 19 at the Lions Den.
"We also have tentatively booked a Trivia night for August 21, so the easing of restrictions will help a lot of our sponsors in the hospitality industry.
"As always please like our Facebook page to keep up to date with our events and games and PM if interested in coming on board as a sponsor."
Did you know the Southern Highland News is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up below.
