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Senghenydd Sirens have gone from struggling to field a side to boasting more than 30 players in less than two years, and are now on the cusp of an historic treble.
Head coach Joe Harwood was “searching for a new challenge” when he decided to leave Pontyclun Falcons, who he’d had title-winning success with.
A challenge is exactly what he found at Senghenydd, whose women’s side were in the second tier, but each week were forced to call games off due to a shortage of players.
Dropping down a division to focus on getting a consistent squad together, Joe has managed to boost the playing numbers, and now the team are a few games away from winning the league – and have a trip to the Principality Stadium booked in.
Speaking to Caerphilly Observer, Harwood said: “It was a complete rebuild job, and we started with making training sessions fun and engaging.
“The use of social media helps to attract players, which was headed by Catrin Davies, and then of course winning games. When you win, people want to get involved.”
Winning is exactly what the Sirens have been doing this season – they sit top and undefeated in the third tier.
Harwood continued: “The league is going really well and we’ve just reached a final in the Principality Stadium after beating the West Swansea Hawks.
“I probably played it down a bit at first. It’s only the second time a side from the club would have gone to Cardiff to play in a bowl game so it’s a huge achievement and awesome for everyone involved.”
It hasn’t all been Harwood’s work though, he credited Hollie Dempsey, Matthew Wood, Charlotte Facey, Stuart Evans, Abby Cripps, Mel James and Dany Johnson for their efforts on and off the pitch to make the Sirens a success.
He added: “Getting that set-up in place, ensuring that the environment is right and that all the girls need to worry about is performing on a Sunday is vital.”
With another late-season cup competition also on the cards, the Sirens could land a historic treble for Senghenydd, something Harwood wants more people to get involved in.
“We’re always looking for new players. Next year if we get promoted we’d like to have one team in the championship and one team in the east division. I think I’m right in saying we’ll be the only women’s senior side in Wales to offer that.”
The Sirens are set to face Taffs Well on Sunday March 30 at the Principality Stadium.
You can get in touch with the Senghenydd Sirens and find out when training sessions are via their social media.
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