THE Gumbaynggirr Coffs Coast Raidettes have done their region proud by winning the East Coast Tribal League women’s grand final.

The Raidettes capped off a great season as minor premiers with a 22-18 victory against the Dunghutti Connexions in the grand final at Kempsey.

It was an extra sweet victory for the Raidettes after the Gumbaynggirr Coffs Coast Raiders returned to the field this season for the first time in more than fifteen years since the club dissolved.

Raidettes player Heather Duncan was awarded the Caryl Jarrett East Coast Tribal League women’s player of the year.

She explained how much winning the grand final meant to her and the community.

“Winning the grand final meant so much, not just for me, but for my family, my teammates, and for our whole community,” she said.

“We worked so hard as a team to get this result, week in, week out.

“We trained hard together, and to see how it all unfolded in the end it was a massive achievement.

“I was so happy for everyone that was involved, my teammates, they worked so hard to fight back in that game being down at halftime, and to see those young girls faces at full-time when the siren went, the joy and excitement on their faces said it all to me and that is what it was all about.

“A big thank you to everyone that helped us and supported us throughout our journey.

“Our coaching staff and managers, we could not have done this without you all.”

By Aiden BURGESS