The Barbets anticipate this year's shortened New England rugby season will be one of the toughest yet but will go in all guns blazing in the quest to retain their title.
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Seven teams will take the field in the women's sevens tournament this year and, since coronavirus restrictions have eased, the Barbets have been putting in extra miles at training which has left coach Will Green rapt.
"Apart from last year's women side, they are one of the sides that love doing extras at the end of the night, just to make sure they are ready to go," he said.
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"I actually said that to the guys last night - it is the first time I have coached a side where they want to learn more and are happy to do more.
"I have inherited a really good ethic from Dan Dooner, he is one of the best coaches I have played under, and that ethic was already instilled in the girls.
"I have benefited big time.
"If we can keep that team element about the side and keep them working hard, hopefully we will be there when the season finishes."
Green said the 2020 competition "will turn a few heads this year" after it was announced the Tamworth Pirates have joined forces with Walcha to play, while Glen Innes return to the fold.
He believes women's rugby deserves to be recognised, particularly with the recent growth in the skill level and number of players in the sport.
"If it wasn't for women's sport, even with league tag and women's rugby, I think you might find a few of the rugby clubs or league side would have fallen by the wayside," Green said.
"Women's sport is getting better and stronger every year.
The Pirates were Central North grand finalists in 2019 while Glen Innes won the inaugural women's sevens premiership and have recruited several Inverell Highlanders for this year.
"With the quality of those Inverell girls and the Pirates girls, we have done our research - Pirates were in the Central North grand final last year and Inverell have always been quality," Green said.
"I don't think you will be able to take any team lightly at all."
Green's squad has retained a host of talented and experienced players from last year's trophy-winning team, as well as recruited some promising young guns.
"Alana Dunne, we have got Skye Gordon-Briggs, Emily Dickson, Ro McNaught, those guys that played last year with us who are very handy rugby players," he said.
"Those younger people will learn from that quality that we have got in the side."
The Barbets first task will come in the form of the Walcha-Pirates side at Alcatraz in round one.