Kiama coach James Patrick is confident his side will continue to improve when they host Tech Tahs on Saturday afternoon.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Cows broke through for their first victory of the year with a 25-11 triumph over Camden last week, with the team now chasing back-to-back victories.
Patrick heads up a young squad and he said the focus for this year is to improve with each performance.
"Tech's a lot different to Camden, so we'll have to prepare a little differently," Patrick said. "Every game for us is the same, we worry about what we're doing and our game plan.
"I'm just hoping for a good performance. We're not taking too much out of this short year, we're building for next year.
"The club's been through a bit of a rebuilding stage. I can see things developing, so it will be interesting to see how we go in this short competition."
Patrick stepped into the head coaching role at Kiama a year ago with the knowledge he had a long-term project at his hands.
The club has struggled in first grade in recent seasons and has languished towards the bottom of the ladder.
With many older players moving on, Patrick has attempted to blood a host of talented youngsters.
While that has seen some of those teenagers thrown into the deep end, the coach has been impressed by what he's seen and is confident the squad will continue to build throughout this season and into next year.
"We're a pretty young squad, we have a few 17 year olds who are going well.
"We're hoping to give it a shake next year. Our goal will be to be competing for the top four, but we'll know more once we get through this season and see how we're travelling.
"We're building, we're aiming for finals next year, but what eventuates from here is up to the boys.
"We've got a good vibe at the club, guys are excited. It's just a matter of keeping that excitement, that's my job, make sure people are turning up wanting to play footy."
With rugby league and Aussie rules dominating the sporting landscape in Kiama, Patrick has been required to educate his players in the many intricacies of the game of rugby union.
That task has been made harder by the lack of rugby on TV screens, with Super Rugby locked up on subscription television.
While a challenge, the coach has enjoyed growing that passion and understanding for the game within his players.
"There's not that much rugby on the tele down here, it's all quite AFL and NRL dominated," Patrick said. "Unless these guys are watching rugby, they don't quite understand the game and what we're doing.
"That means we have to put more effort into training and sit down and watch games with the boys. That gives guys the chance to ask questions and we can answer them for them.
"Otherwise training can be a bit rushed, guys don't understand why they're doing things. That's up to us as coaching staff to make sure they do understand."
Saturday's fourth round of Illawarra Rugby was thrown into a state of flux on Tuesday when the government announced changes to health guidelines for community sport.
High level discussions by officials from the major winter codes led to a resolution, with games allowed to continue as planned.
That will see defending premiers Avondale make the trip south to take on a dangerous Shoalhaven.
A pair of rivalry matches will also take place, with Camden and Campelltown to face off at Campbelltown Showground.
Finally, the bitter feud between Shamrocks and Vikings will resume when the two teams play at Ocean Park.
The hosts are desperate for a victory, with the side winless and sitting last on the ladder.
The match is equally important for Vikings, the team aiming to maintain contact with Avondale ahead of their clash next weekend.