Pac Champs: Preparations begin for Jillaroos
Harvey Norman Jillaroos coach Brad Donald is confident his team will grow from a week in the spotlight as they begin their preparations for the Pacific Championships.
The players assembled in camp on the Gold Coast on Saturday and quickly turned their focus to laying the foundation for a successful campaign.
There has been plenty of public debate over the make-up of the squad, with Dally M Medallist Olivia Kernick and a number of other incumbents overlooked for the tournament.
Sunday's first training session was a chance to put the external noise in the rear-view mirror and Donald has been pleased with the way his team has taken the drama in their stride.
Back from the hurt: Brigginshaw and Jillaroos keen to own Pac Champs
"It's been a tough week," Donald said. "It always is. It's never easy when a player misses out and it's hard on the girls too because it's their mates. I think that's why the game is so successful.
"We've got an old saying that pressure makes diamonds. While they're applying pressure to one another, we're just going to get better and better."
The Jillaroos enter the Pacific Championships with unfinished business after they fell to New Zealand last season.
Match: Jillaroos v PNG Orchids
Week 1 -
home Team
Jillaroos
1st Position
away Team
PNG Orchids
2nd Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Australia commence their campaign against the Papua New Guinea Orchids at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night before they take on the Kiwi Ferns in Christchurch next week.
The Jillaroos were dealt a blow in Sunday's Prime Minister's XIII clash with Lauren Brown injuring her hamstring. The playmaker has been sent for scans but is in doubt for the tournament.
While the Pacific Championships is the immediate focus, Donald is also looking to lay the foundation for a bumper two years featuring a match against England in Las Vegas in March and a home World Cup in 2026.
"It's all about setting up the team and setting up the women's space for 2026," he said. "We're focused on making sure we land the team and the game on the map so the Jillaroos can have their Matildas moment in 2026.
"The players have spoken about that and it's what they want. They met earlier in the year and spoke about things like Las Vegas. The [ARL] Commission was great in supporting their vision and we're going to see this team play at some of those places after these championships.
"We've got to keep our focus down the road as well as what we need to do in the now to make sure we grow the game."
Despite the external noise, the Jillaroos haven't skipped a beat since arriving into camp and captain Ali Brigginshaw said Sunday's session was one of the best she's experienced throughout her career.
The Women's Pacific Championship draw explained
The veteran praised the rookies within the squad for instantly sliding into the team and keeping the older players on their toes.
With a two-year runway to the World Cup, Brigginshaw knows the importance of building a deep squad and said the Pacific Championships will provide crucial experience for the team.
"It's been awesome to have some fresh faces and bring them into the Jillaroos culture," Brigginshaw said. "It's been really exciting getting to know them and the new staff.
"[Sunday's] training session was one of the best in Jillaroos colours I've ever had.
"You can just feel the excitement from the girls. We've been in different [club] teams but the way we've come together when we pull on the green and gold and connect that quickly is special.
"With this group and the way we trained, I'm feeling really excited about what we can do."
