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Via Telegraph Sport
By Dean Ritchie
The NRLW could be set for further expansion in the coming years, with the Bulldogs applying for an NRLW license and declaring themselves fully equipped to host matches.
In a historic move, Canterbury will submit an application for an NRLW license on Friday.
While the NRL is yet to determine when the next intake of teams will be approved, the Bulldogs say they have invested $1.5m into their women’s program.
The club has run a series of courses and initiatives over the past 12 to 18 months to advance and develop the women’s pathways systems.
“The Bulldogs are proud to submit our application in pursuit of an NRLW entry. Our commitment to the advancement of women’s rugby league is unwavering and our application reflects our dedication to creating a sustainable and successful NRLW team,” said Bulldogs CEO, Aaron Warburton.
“Our club has a well-established history and a proven track record of investing in grassroots programs and developing players from a young age.
“Our commitment to female pathways has resulted in a steady pipeline of talented players who are ready to excel in the NRLW competition and comes from increased investment which has allowed the rapid, yet competitive growth of our female programs over the past 12-18 months.
“In terms of venue readiness, we are fully equipped to host NRLW matches. Additionally, we are proud to announce that a world-class facility in our new Centre of Excellence, is in development stages at the heart of our club, Belmore Sports Ground.
“This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for both male and female players, offering cutting edge amenities, training resources and a welcoming atmosphere for all.
“Our dedication to female pathways, venue readiness, and strong staff and governance ensures that we are well positioned to contribute positively to the NRLW and we look forward to the opportunity to showcase our commitment and passion for women‘s rugby league as we strive for excellence on and off the field.”
The Bulldogs ran an Elite Pups Academy Scholarship Program in July, officials claiming it was the “first of its kind in rugby league in Australia.”
The emerging female camp was aimed at giving players the skills to play top-level rugby league along with education around nutrition, preparation, recovery, game specific clinics, coaching, testing and fitness.
Canterbury already runs a team in Harvey Norman women’s premiership, the NSWRL’s premier women’s open-age competition.
“The one thing about this club is that we try to respect the past but we are creating a whole new future, and the women’s game is a big part of that future,” said Canterbury general manager of football, Phil Gould.
“We’ve put a lot of money into our pathways systems in developing kids, bringing teenagers into the system and developing them through to the top grade and that will be replicated in the women’s game as well.
“Creating the future is a big part of what we are doing now. We have great respect for the past, and we celebrate a very successful past, but the future is really important to us.“
Bulldogs female football operations co-ordinator Lauren Milner said an NRLW side was an “important next step”.
“We are really building from the bottom up. We‘ve got strong junior league clubs through our women’s programs, we’ve got our Pups Elite Program which had girls as young as 15 in there, we’ve got Lisa Fiaola under-17s, Tarsha Gale under-19s and of course our Harvey Norman Women’s but the NRLW is something we are all striving towards here,” she said.
“We’ve got what we think is the best pathways program in place and we truly believe that the NRLW would just be a small step for us.”
Canterbury general manager of female pathways and junior league, Barry Ward added: “Rugby league to women now is everything.
“These girls grow up supporting clubs and supporting the Bulldogs. They have watched the likes of Matt Burton, Michael Ennis, Terry Lamb, Josh Reynolds and Josh Jackson and they can now dream to be one of those players.”
By Dean Ritchie
The NRLW could be set for further expansion in the coming years, with the Bulldogs applying for an NRLW license and declaring themselves fully equipped to host matches.
In a historic move, Canterbury will submit an application for an NRLW license on Friday.
While the NRL is yet to determine when the next intake of teams will be approved, the Bulldogs say they have invested $1.5m into their women’s program.
The club has run a series of courses and initiatives over the past 12 to 18 months to advance and develop the women’s pathways systems.
“The Bulldogs are proud to submit our application in pursuit of an NRLW entry. Our commitment to the advancement of women’s rugby league is unwavering and our application reflects our dedication to creating a sustainable and successful NRLW team,” said Bulldogs CEO, Aaron Warburton.
“Our club has a well-established history and a proven track record of investing in grassroots programs and developing players from a young age.
“Our commitment to female pathways has resulted in a steady pipeline of talented players who are ready to excel in the NRLW competition and comes from increased investment which has allowed the rapid, yet competitive growth of our female programs over the past 12-18 months.
“In terms of venue readiness, we are fully equipped to host NRLW matches. Additionally, we are proud to announce that a world-class facility in our new Centre of Excellence, is in development stages at the heart of our club, Belmore Sports Ground.
“This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for both male and female players, offering cutting edge amenities, training resources and a welcoming atmosphere for all.
“Our dedication to female pathways, venue readiness, and strong staff and governance ensures that we are well positioned to contribute positively to the NRLW and we look forward to the opportunity to showcase our commitment and passion for women‘s rugby league as we strive for excellence on and off the field.”
The Bulldogs ran an Elite Pups Academy Scholarship Program in July, officials claiming it was the “first of its kind in rugby league in Australia.”
The emerging female camp was aimed at giving players the skills to play top-level rugby league along with education around nutrition, preparation, recovery, game specific clinics, coaching, testing and fitness.
Canterbury already runs a team in Harvey Norman women’s premiership, the NSWRL’s premier women’s open-age competition.
“The one thing about this club is that we try to respect the past but we are creating a whole new future, and the women’s game is a big part of that future,” said Canterbury general manager of football, Phil Gould.
“We’ve put a lot of money into our pathways systems in developing kids, bringing teenagers into the system and developing them through to the top grade and that will be replicated in the women’s game as well.
“Creating the future is a big part of what we are doing now. We have great respect for the past, and we celebrate a very successful past, but the future is really important to us.“
Bulldogs female football operations co-ordinator Lauren Milner said an NRLW side was an “important next step”.
“We are really building from the bottom up. We‘ve got strong junior league clubs through our women’s programs, we’ve got our Pups Elite Program which had girls as young as 15 in there, we’ve got Lisa Fiaola under-17s, Tarsha Gale under-19s and of course our Harvey Norman Women’s but the NRLW is something we are all striving towards here,” she said.
“We’ve got what we think is the best pathways program in place and we truly believe that the NRLW would just be a small step for us.”
Canterbury general manager of female pathways and junior league, Barry Ward added: “Rugby league to women now is everything.
“These girls grow up supporting clubs and supporting the Bulldogs. They have watched the likes of Matt Burton, Michael Ennis, Terry Lamb, Josh Reynolds and Josh Jackson and they can now dream to be one of those players.”
