BRADFORD Bulls Women's head coaches Kirsty Moroney and Beth Sutcliffe insist their side are raring to go ahead of their season opener against Featherstone Rovers this Sunday.

Eleven new signings bolster the squad that won the Challenge Shield last year, with a strong Bradford-born core remaining.

Ahead of their first year at the helm, Sutcliffe is eager to see the side’s efforts in pre-season transferred onto the pitch in the West Yorkshire derby.

“We are all really excited to get going, we have had a good pre-season and now everyone is raring to go and we feel like we are ready,” said Sutcliffe.

“Now we need to get the players on the pitch having shown them how we want to play as a team and I am looking forward to seeing that playing out on the pitch.

“Every week you see more coverage and that inspires more players to train hard and get involved.”

Joint head-coach Moroney believes the off-season recruitment will pay dividends as the season progresses – and also hailed the development of the women’s game.

“We have recruited well and we have signed a lot of young players which will be great for the game moving forward,” said Moroney.

“To have a standalone season launch last week was massive and the game is only going to get bigger and bigger.

“I almost wish I was 10 years younger! It is great to be on the coaching side of it now and get to work with such a great group.”