When Courtney Crawford first walked onto a rugby league field as a young girl, she never imagined that one day she would be standing at the helm of one of the most respected women’s programs in the state.
But in 2026, that’s exactly where she will be, stepping into her new role as the head coach of the Steelers’ Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership team.
Crawford will succeed Jamie Szczerbanik, the coach who led the Steelers to a premiership in 2024 and also took them to the Finals in 2025.
“Honestly, it’s really exciting for myself,” she says, settling into her new reality with both humility and intent.
“Being at the Steelers for a while now and making that transition to the highest team they field across the season; it’s obviously a privilege.”
It’s a move that feels like a natural progression for Crawford after several seasons nurturing the Tarsha Gale Cup group, including three finals campaigns and winning the 2024 title.
Ten players from her premiership-winning team have graduated to the NRLW, including Dragons playmaker Kasey Reh (main picture with Crawford). Many others will be the core of her team next season.
“I’ve got good relationships with them,” she shares. “So, the transition was exciting, but also an easy one.”
Family ties
Crawford’s rugby league story began long before she held a clipboard.
“Rugby league’s a part of my family. I was born into it,” she laughs.
Growing up as the only girl among four boys, footy wasn’t just a pastime, it was a language. But when the hits became too big, her mum pulled her out of junior league, pushing her toward soccer.
Still, her passion for footy never really left.
She returned to the game at 18, playing for Berkeley, before fate intervened when a friend suggested she give coaching a try.
“It wasn’t something I was looking to do,” she admits.
Yet once she started, it became clear she had found her path.
Opportunities came quickly: assistant coaching roles, head coaching roles, and eventually women’s representative pathways, NSW Country and NSW Origin U19s.
But through it all, one organisation has been her anchor.
“I owe the Steelers everything,” Courtney says.
“They gave me the opportunity and supported me with whatever I wanted to do. Without them, I wouldn’t be in the position I am now.”
Winners are grinners: Crawford’s 2024 Tarsha Gale Cup winning outfit
Setting standards
Crawford says replacing a coach like Szczerbanik, with success, stature, and firm foundations, comes with undeniable pressure.
“Yeah, there’s obviously that pressure,” Courtney acknowledges.
“But we’ve got the foundations. There’s a good group of girls coming through. It’s more excitement than nerves.”
She isn’t interested in reinventing the wheel. Instead, she plans to honour the work ‘Scissors’ has done before her while imprinting her own coaching philosophy.
“It’s not about changing too much,” she explains.
“Each coach has their own style. For me, it’s about strengthening where we need to, bringing through our young talent, and setting high standards.”
And standards are her trademark.
Her long-time understanding of this age group means she knows exactly when to push and when to pull back, something she’s also helping incoming coach and former NRL Dragon and Titan, Luke Bailey, learn as he takes over her former role.
“He’s finding his feet,” she says warmly.
“I’m just making sure the girls uphold the standards. Luke’s a great bloke, old school, tough, and he’s going to get them fit.”
Pushing boundaries
Crawford’s appointment is more than a coaching change; it’s a statement. For young women and girls watching the growth of the women’s game, her story is another signal that the pathway is widening.
“It just means you can achieve whatever you want to achieve as long as you work hard,” Crawford says. But she doesn’t sugar-coat the reality.
“Women face more challenges, especially in rugby league. People still see it as a male sport.”
She pauses, then smiles, because change is already happening.
“They’re not just mums in the canteen anymore. They’re coaches, they’re players, they’re officials. And that’s only going to get stronger.”
Crawford knows what it feels like to push against expectations. She knows the setbacks, the moments of doubt, and the grind that shapes resilience. And she is determined to carry that lesson forward for the next generation.
It takes a village
Behind every successful coach is a village, and for Courtney, family has been the heartbeat.
“My dad’s obviously really proud,” she says softly.
“He taught me to work hard, that I can achieve whatever I want. He’s someone I always pick up the phone to.”
Now, as she steps into the next chapter of her coaching journey, she carries her family’s lessons, her club’s trust, and her players’ belief.
The challenges will come. The competition will grow tougher. The expectations will rise. But Crawford isn’t intimidated.
Pressure, she reminds us, “only makes you perform.”
And in 2026, she’s ready to lead, inspire, and redefine what women in rugby league can achieve, not just for herself, but for every girl watching, dreaming, and daring to imagine something big.
Words | Angelina Raula