Wakefield Trinity Ladies RL coach, Liam Harnell, is excited about 2022 as pre-season preparations take another step forward.

Last Tuesday, Trinity found out that it will be Women’s Super League newcomers, Leigh Miners, in the first round of their 2022 WSL season.

With preparations well underway and new faces arriving through the door each week, the club is reaching for the stars.

“We can’t wait [for the season to start], it feels as though it has been an incredibly long pre-season,” Harnell explained.

“We did start a few weeks early, as we were determined to build on what we accomplished last year. Even though the results didn’t go in our favour, we are building, so we are ready to go for it in 2022.

“We have put a lot of emphasis on fitness this year and the girls look great. We are improving week on week, and they are enjoying it, which is the main thing.”

After an uneven balance to last year’s WSL, competition creators have split this year’s league into two, with Wakefield competing against follow West Yorkshire sides Bradford Bulls and Featherstone Rovers.

A break in the pack comes as a welcome addition to Harnell, who is aiming for a big finish in 2022.

“I think the way that they have split the league this season works in our favour because we are a team that is building.

“But you look those two fixtures [Castleford in the Challenge Cup and Leigh in Super League], they are both sides in the building stage as well, so we are going after them and looking forward to it.”

The foundations are laid, and the building blocks are in place as multiple new arrivals look to bolster the Trinity back for the forthcoming year, and Harnell is delighted to have some consistency amongst the pack.

“Skills and fitness-wise, I see a huge difference,” he said.

“We started last year with a brand-new team and lost a few players mid-season, however, all the girls who finished in 2021 – bar one – have all returned.

“We’ve added a few promising players from other clubs as well as a couple from Rugby Union. The team spirit is great with this group, and they are playing with smiles on their faces, so I can’t really much more from them.”

Wakefield Trinity Ladies RL start their 2022 journey with a trip to Castleford Tigers in the Betfred Challenge Cup on Sunday, 13th March.