The last two years have been a steep learning curve for Jess Slade.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
And it's about to get even steeper, with Slade taking on the coaching reins of the Quirindi women's 7s side for their 2021 Central North campaign.
Part of the inaugural Lions side, before the 2019 season she hadn't played a game of competitive rugby.
She admits she did take a bit of convincing.
READ ALSO:
"It's a huge commitment and the coaching roles' very new to me," Slade said.
"But you've got to start somewhere I guess."
And she will have plenty of support around her.
She did get a bit of a taste of coaching last year, helping out with the Quirindi High under-18s girls side in the North West Regional Youth competition.
On top of the Lions gig Slade has also taken on a coaching role with the Central North under-14s girls.
It will make for a "very busy" and "rugby-orientated" year, but she is loving this new chapter in her life.
The Lions finished with six wins and a draw in 2019 and surpassed expectations with most of the side new to the game.
On the back of that there was a real buzz heading into last season.
Slade said she isn't too worried about losing any of that momentum by not playing.
"I think we've kept the momentum going, we've kept contact; we've just got to get back in the swing of things," she said.
They have retained a lot of the playing group.
She is excited to see how the side does take shape with several of the Quirindi High girls set to step up. Being involved with them she knows what they are capable of.
The premiership is the ultimate goal but besides that Slade said she'd like for them to "have some successful games" and "just see us build and grow as a club".
"I just had that momentum," she told The Leader back in August.
She was one of their most consistent and was awarded the coaches award.
But as much as she did enjoy it, she can't wait to pull on the sky blue and white again.
"I love playing for the Lions," Slade said.
"I had heaps of fun and met lots of people playing for the Magpies and I think we had great success for a pretty much last-minute put together team, but it will be good to play for home."
Georgia Moore, Ellee Bowen and Lillie Clark also played with the Magpies with Moore picking up the best back award.
The Lions' pre-season continues on Thursday nights at Longfield Oval from 6.30pm.
