The Dragons, who are one of four clubs in the NRLW, don't want to stray too far from the reason why were granted a licence. The region has worked hard to promote women's rugby league in recent years including the Dragons' High Performance Unit (HPU) squad.

The HPU is a seven-week program complete with a mixture of education, field skill and drills and gym sessions, and further develops young women who either play in the area or for the club's two Tarsha Gale Cup sides.

"You sort of want to look at your planning from that, you don't want to go away from what actually got you a licence," Lacey said.

"Now we've got a pathway all the way to the top so we looked at that and identified players in our area and ones who can make the top so we went through that process."

The Dragons signed three players from their HPU squad including Talia Atfield, Keeley Davis and Shakiah Tungai and have two development players from their two Tarsha Gale teams, Illawarra Steelers and St George Dragons.

These two teams are set to be the feeder squads into the NRL Women's Premiership side as Lacey looks to find a balance between the side wanting to win and bringing through talent.

"We aren't just looking at the initial squad but looking at the future and what's coming through," he said.

"We all want to win but I think it's about trying to find that balance," Lacey said.

However, one of the biggest challenges for Lacey has been the relocation of players with the season only being four weeks long with pre-season having begun August 1.

"I was upfront with the girls saying 'I really want you to play but I also don't want it to be at all cost'. I need to make sure you can relocate, would it be okay with your employer, will we have to try find you work while you are here to pay the bills and obviously some ladies have young children so we need to work it out so," he said.

The Dragons have recruited a mixture of experience and youth with Lacey already seeing Club Ambassador and Helensburgh representatives Sammy Bremner and Kenzie Apps rub off onto the other players with their enthusiasm and how much it means to them to play for the Dragons.

Lacey added: "Getting that culture, because it is all brand new, and I think if we have a good vision, I think the culture will look after itself."