Coleman previews Semi Final
- Mary Coleman spoke at Tuesday’s Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Semi Final press event.
- Coleman: “It just feels as though we’re on an upwards trajectory – hopefully we’ll see some good things this weekend.”
- Watch the full Semi Final preview on Wigan TV HERE.
Mary Coleman spoke ahead of an ‘exciting’ week for the Warriors Women who prepare to face Leeds Rhinos in the Challenge Cup Semi Final at Headingley Stadium.
“It’s really exciting,” she said, “It’s nice to feel a part of it and the Challenge Cup is a really prestigious event – the chance to play at Wembley this year is exciting for the Women’s game so it’s a pleasure.”
Sunday’s fixture is a double-header as the Women face Leeds ahead of Wigan’s Challenge Cup game against Hull KR on the same turf: “These double-headers are great for Women’s Rugby League and great for the Challenge Cup. Our attendance records are growing each year, and being able to play before the men gives us the opportunity to show our skill and the level we are playing at – it’s such an exciting time and it’s all great for the growth of the Women’s game.
“We have a great connection with the Men’s side and last year we had a one Club training session which we have coming up again in a couple of weeks. We are one Club with a one Club mentality, we love to share the success the Men’s side have had for the club, but it would be great if we could follow in their footsteps and get that winning feeling ourselves.”
On the Semi Finals, Coleman said: “I love knock-out Rugby League, for me it’s more exciting because you have to put your all in for 80 minutes. I made my debut in the Challenge Cup last season but unfortunately we didn’t make it to the Quarters. This season we made it through the group stages, and followed that up with a strong performance in the last round so we are really excited to face Leeds in the Semi Finals this weekend.”
Looking at their opponents, Leeds, Coleman added: “The Rhinos are a really strong side, they have a good push and are particularly good at working together as a team when they make a break. We know it’s going to be a tough game, particularly after our last one but the recent result left us with a lot to take from it, both positive and negative so I think we’re ready for the fight and ready to push them this weekend.”
Finally, on the chance to potentially go on and play in a final at Wembley, she said: “I made my debut in a Challenge Cup game so to be able to get to a final, especially at Wembley, would be amazing.
“It’s really promising for the Women’s game to be able to play at such a big stadium, alongside the Men’s final and be able to get that kind of support. It is going to be a big game regardless of who is involved, the chance to play at a stadium of that prestige and environment does add pressure but it makes it all the more exciting and worth fighting for.”
Tickets for our semi-final clash – which includes entry to the Warriors Women’s semi-final against Leeds Rhinos at 2:15pm – are available to buy online HERE and in-Store at Robin Park Arena (open Monday-Saturday, 10am-4pm).
Tickets will be taken off sale online and in-store at 4pm on Friday 21 July. All tickets bought online will be posted out and there is no delivery charge when purchasing, however, please note that tickets purchased online after 4pm on Tuesday 18 July will need to be collected from the Robin Park Arena Club store.
