Barrow Raiders Ladies head coach Amanda Wilkinson insists her squad are ready for the unknown as they prepare to take on newly-promoted Leigh Leopards in the opening round of the Betfred Women’s Super League season.

The Raiders Ladies, who finished fifth last year during their debut season in Group 1 of the women’s top division, will hope to get their season off to a positive start away at Leigh this Sunday.

The Leopards were promoted via the Group 2 play-offs last season – mirroring the Raiders Ladies’ route to the top flight 12 months earlier.

Head coach Wilkinson believes the hard work of her players will leave them in a good position physically and mentally heading into their Round 1 showdown at Leigh Sports Village.

“We are very much focused on our own performance going into the first game, and as coaches we have to make sure the players are fully prepared for the unknown,” she said.

“We have done our homework, as they say, on the Leigh team, and we will condition the girls the best we can to defend their strengths and attack their weaknesses.

“Leigh are going to be a really tough challenge for us and are going to have plenty of passion and drive. They have lots to prove in their first season, but we will be equally prepared.

“The mood is great in camp, and there’s always a buzz around the place in the build-up to that first game.

“Sessions have been intense, with so many changes to the squad, but the players have relished the challenges and worked hard to gel as a team.”

While the league season has yet to begin, the Raiders Ladies have already played two competitive matches this calendar year.

They were beaten in the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup group stages by eventual finalists Wigan Warriors and another strong opponent in London Broncos, but head coach Wilkinson has stressed the importance of her new-look group of players learning lessons from those defeats.

“They were two very tough games,” she added.

“I felt there was lots to be gained from the experience, and it has helped the players to be able to reflect on their own performances and understand where they are in terms of technical and tactical ability.

“It also tested them physically and mentally, which I believe was needed in preparation for the season.

“We need to have belief in each other and keep communicating. The message is clear to the girls that every player is accountable for a good performance, and hard work, consistency and communication will be the key to success this season.”

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