The women’s and men’s teams will both open their 2026 campaign at the league’s knockout tournament in Goolgowi.
It is the first proper hit‑out of the year, and a chance to see where they sit heading into the season, which begins with round one on May 30.
Men’s coach Drew Hinkley said the squad has been focused on tightening its structures after last year’s rebuilding phase.
“We’ve been working on our basic structures, both defensively and in attack,” he said.
“Last year was more around getting bodies on the park, and understanding the basic skills. This year, we really want to work on the structured side of the game.”
The Heelers have a squad of 14 locals and 11 players travelling in from further afield, from places including Wilcannia.
There is a new halves pairing in Todd Thocolich and Mason Brown, with both players coming off a strong showing earlier this year as part of the winning team in the Echuca touch competition.
Hinkley said he was “excited to see the growth” and expected “a lot of improvement on last year”.
“It’s good to see more sport in Deni,” he said.
The women’s squad has grown from just two players to seven, meeting the requirement to compete each week.
All seven are Deniliquin-based, but the team will rely on ‘borrowing’ additional players from other teams on game days to make up the minimum requirement of nine.
They have been steadily building through pre‑season, with four players travelling to Yenda for a league wide women's training night and, meet and greet.
On game day, the side will be coached by Adam Brill, who also plays in the men’s team and referees in Group 20.
Club president Rachael Parry said the group had shown strong commitment and were looking forward to their first run of the year.
The Heelers will feature in three matches during the knockout on Saturday.
The men will play Hillston at 11am and Ivanhoe at 2.30pm, while the women will take on Hillston at 12.20pm.
Depending on results, finals will be at 3.10pm for the women and 3.40pm for the men.
The knockout will proceed without Barellan’s men’s and women’s teams, and the men’s Rankins Springs side has also withdrawn due to a lack of numbers.
Goolgowi will host a reverse‑draw raffle after the games, with proceeds supporting former player Danvir Singh‑Clark, who is facing health challenges.
Off the field, the Heelers and Deniliquin Drovers Rugby Union Club will gather to watch the final Women’s State of Origin match on Thursday. Activities are also planned to take place during the evening.
Home‑game preparations are also underway, as the club builds momentum on and off the paddock.
The Heelers will host other clubs for round two, on June 13.
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