When president Matt Curll took office late last year, he looked at the Manly rugby scene and liked what he saw.

The grade and colts programs were left in great shape by his predecessor Cameron Douglas and GM Rob Gallacher, and the Mermaids 7s had come through a challenging year the better for the experience.

But there was one important ingredient missing – a women's 15-a-side team.

We'd had one 20 years or so years ago but it had fallen away for various reasons.

On Friday night, the final piece in the jigsaw will slot into place when the Mermaids XV return to the Jack Scott Cup for the first time in two decades against powerhouse Sydney Uni at Uni Oval.

It comes after many months of hard work by a lot of good people.

Asked why it was important for Manly to be represented at XV level, Matt responded: "Women's rugby is increasingly flourishing globally and our Wallaroos and Waratahs are so great to watch. 

"I want Manly to have a premier rugby program and to provide a pathway for our players and most importantly replicate all the benefits that the men obtain in playing high level rugby at Manly."

"I also want Manly Rugby to be connected with and truly represent our community and how can we really do this if we do not have a full women’s program?"

To ensure we'd hit the ground running, Matt leaned on Gallacher, Tim Herbert and head men's coach Chris Delooze while bringing in former teammate and women's rugby guru Ben Tuipulotu to head the program.

It’s been an inspired choice.

"By sheer luck Ben was available to coach this year and he and his wider family (including all his own family and brother Sateki’s family) are such committed ambassadors of women's rugby that I realised after 15 minutes of speaking with him that I had to get him on board and support him," Matt explained. 

"He was the person to lead our program forward. I am so proud of the way he has embraced the role and has brought along so many great young women into our program – and they are playing so well too."

So well that there is great hope we can start with a victory over Uni on Friday evening.

Go get 'em, girls!