Women’s rugby league is in an entirely new era. Commercially, socially, and on the scoreboard — the game is growing in every direction. But more than that, it’s being taken seriously. Not just by the players — we’ve always known the value of what we do — but by the people watching, the businesses backing us, and the next generation who now see this as a real, viable path.
My journey into rugby league wasn’t exactly traditional. I didn’t grow up playing footy every weekend. I was always sporty — I played hockey, basketball, athletics — anything that kept me moving. I even joined in a few random school rugby league gala days, mostly because my brother played and footy was just something we all mucked around with in the backyard. But actually playing the game didn’t happen until much later.
I was 19 when I moved to the Gold Coast and saw a story on the news about the Burleigh Bears women’s competition. It lit a spark. I’d been playing touch footy and watching from the sidelines my whole life — so I thought, why not? I signed up the next year. That decision changed everything.
Playing for the Bears opened doors. I was suddenly surrounded by high-level talent — rep players, serious coaching, a real performance culture. It was a huge learning curve and it paid off.
Now I’m 29, and I this will be my sixth year representing Queensland as part of State of Origin selection. Getting the call-up, still means everything. You dream about it, you work for it, and still, when it happens it feels so good. It’s proof that persistence pays off.
When I first started playing league, Origin for women wasn’t a standalone event. It wasn’t front and centre. But now? It’s prime time. And it’s not just tokenism — it’s because the game earns attention. The product is elite. The physicality is real. The stories are powerful.
And yet, people still compare us to the men. “You girls hit harder than the boys.” I know it’s meant as a compliment, but I want it to not be about gender – let’s just say “You hit hard”? That should be enough. Our game doesn’t need to be justified through someone else’s. It can stand tall on its own.
That’s the beauty of where we are now — people are finally seeing that. Sponsors, broadcasters, fans — they’re backing us not out of obligation but because they want to. Because there’s something special here. Something worth investing in.
What’s happening in women’s rugby league is bigger than just wins and losses. It’s about young girls seeing a future, not just a dream. It’s about showing up and being counted — not as the pre-show, but the main event.
We’re no longer the opening act. And this is just the start.
Game II of the Women’s State of Origin series is May 15, at Allianz Stadium.
Feature image: Chelsea Lenarduzzi; supplied.
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