Pirates women's coach Anthony Barbara happy with where they are at but concerned about potential inconsistency of games

"Our biggest concern is not getting them regular games," he said.

As the draw stands they are looking at playing one game in the first six weeks and that is in the first round.

"Round 1 we've got Quirindi, then it's Easter, then we head to Moree, they don't have a team. Then we play Inverell (they have folded), then we've got a bye and then play Walcha, who don't have a team," Barbara said.

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While they will then have a run of games to finish off the first round he said it's "not ideal" to not be playing any games for five weeks.

The worry is that the players will lose interest if they can't get them games.

The zone are still to confirm final numbers with the clubs but president Paul King said as things stand at the moment there are six teams - Pirates, Gunnedah, Narrabri, Quirindi, Barraba/Gywdir and Scone - the latter coming back into the fold this season.

"We'll be checking up with the clubs in the next week or so to see where they are," he said.

They'll then make a decision "around what happens then".

Elaborating on that he said: "If we keep the same draw or whether we need to make changes."

"There could be a few different options come up with that."

"We're usually flexible with our planning."

They showed that last year, introducing gala days for the women for the second round when a similar situation of lack of games arose.

Barbara said they are looking to work with the other clubs in Central North, as well as New England, and even Hunter to "try and fill the gaps".

"You can train all you want but you need to be playing consistent rugby week in week out," he said.

Looking ahead to the season he couldn't be happier with how they are coming along.

They have had their strongest numbers to pre-season and have got "a really good mix" of senior experienced players, players that have been part of the side for a couple of years now and young players coming through.

"We're pretty lucky with the junior system.

"That's credit to the club, they've put a fair bit of time into it," Barbara said.

He said they're seeing the benefit of that work now with the likes of Tomi Gavin, Phebe McNamara and Wunda Williams stepping up to the senior side this season.

They will combine with the likes of Rosie Ferguson, Erika Maslen, Miah O'Sullivan and Jacinta Cooper.

O'Sullivan is helping Barbara out with the coaching this season but will also pull on the boots while Cooper is back in Tamworth after completing her studies.

Both will be huge additions. They have also picked up emerging 7s squad member Liliana Reardon from the Highlanders.

Following on from the Armidale Knockout and a trial against Tamworth last Saturday, they will continue their preparations this weekend travelling to Dubbo, along with the men, to take on the Roos.

"It will be a good little hit out for us," Barbara said.

"The mail is they're pretty strong. It will be a good test for us to see where we are at with a different club from a different zone."

It will be 10s too, which will help get them "body hardened".

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