[Updated 27 January 2023]
The Illawarra Steelers have released final squad lists for the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership, Tarsha Gale Cup, SG Ball Cup and Harold Matthews Cup, with Round One commencing at home on Sunday, 5 February at WIN Stadium.
Inaugural Steelers Women’s Coach Alicia-Kate Hawke says there is a distinct buzz around her group, which has grown even more since returning from the Christmas break.
“Knowing we are now only a few weeks away from starting, the players and staff are full of excitement and some nerves. We have been focussed on digging in at training and building some strong connections across the group,” Hawke said.
Hawke says while the group has primarily grown up in the Illawarra region, there are still plenty of players that have never actually played on the same team before.
“It has been essential for us to unite as one group, and the girls are gelling well. They have set high expectations for themselves and continue pushing each other to be better than before.”
This was notably shown by the commitment to their training programs during the Christmas break.
“The first session back can often be quite challenging and shows who has been working hard and who has slacked off. We had ¾ of our team take time off their 1.2km, and a number hit PBs in the gym. As a coach, you want to work with this kind of group.”
“It is amazing to know we are part of history; however, we don’t want to be here to tick the box and participate. We want to see our team grow and be competitive as a team and individually.”
Steelers launch season in style
The squad includes players with NRLW, NSW, and Jillaroos experience.
“Keeley Davis, Teagan Berry, and Rachael Pearson are natural leaders for not only those coming through in their positions (Salma Nour and Riley Scott) but also for the entire squad.
“Players like Keele Browne and Olivia Patterson* have led the way as far as their grit and determination in every training session, which is contagious amongst the group. The players have bought into the hard work this pre-season, and we will draw on this when the games get tight and physical throughout the season.”
*Unfortunately, Olivia Patterson picked up a season-ending ACL injury during the pre-season.
Round One – Match Day Schedule | Sunday, 5 February | WIN Stadium
- 10:30am – Harold Matthews Cup (Under 17 Boys) Steelers v Penrith Panthers
- 12.00pm – Tarsha Gale Cup (Under 19 Girls) Steelers v Penrith Panthers
- 1:30PM – SG Ball (under 19 Boys) Steelers v Penrith Panthers
- 3:15pm – Harvey Norman NSW’s Premiership Steelers v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Let’s take a sneak peek behind the scenes to learn more about the latest crop of Steelers.
On the job training
While the professionalism of the women’s game has come on in leaps and bounds over the last few years, many of the Steelers’ HNWP players still have full-time jobs. Some, like Olivia Patterson and Kaarla Cowan, also juggle young families while chasing their dreams.
Halfback Rachel Pearson works as a fitter and turner at South32, the major sponsor of Illawarra Rugby League’s Women and Girls program. Other occupations held by squad members include aged care workers, carpenters, schoolteachers, landscapers, and youth workers, to name a few.
What’s in a name
Former South Sydney Rabbitohs captain, Sharna Piccinelli, will carry on a family tradition when she dons the famous scarlet and white jersey in the HNWP in 2023. Sharna’s father, Neil, made 145 appearances for the Steelers in the late 1980s and 1990s. SG Ball player Callum Leikvoll is the son of former Steelers front rower Chris ‘Penny’ Leikvoll. Luke Bailey’s son Hudson and Shaun Timmins nephew Zane have also made the Harold Matts squad.
Meanwhile, the youngest member of the squad is Zali Yeo. The 18-year-old has only been playing tackle for two years. While Zali admits, she used to go to training without her parents’ knowledge Rugby League was always in her blood. The Midwest Brumbies (Dubbo) junior is the younger sister of current Penrith and Australian lock Isaah Yeo. Keeping it in the family, Zali’s cousin Sienna is in the Tarsha Gale Squad.
Anastasia Shum’s introduction to the game was through her father, who would pay her $2 if she cheered loud enough while watching her twin brother. That is until he injured his arm, and she was called upon to replace him…it’s fair to say she hasn’t looked back since.
While former athletics star Teagan Berry carries the moniker ‘Flash’ for her ability to tear up and down the sidelines, we’re still determining the origins of some of the other nicknames we’ve come across, including Rat, Banana, Rhino, and Dongy.
Multi-sports stars
Alicia Kate-Hawke’s women’s squad is a multi-talented bunch, with former dancer Salma Nour one of many players transitioning from other sports including touch or Oztag to rugby league, while Patterson has represented NSW in Basketball.
According to good judges Shakiah Tungai may well have been a better soccer player than league player.
The former Australian, New South Wales and St George Illawarra Dragons player won the Player of the Tournament Medal at the 2016 National Indigenous Soccer Championships before switching to league.
SG Ball’s Isaac Laughton played cricket for NSW and claims he can sing!
Don’t give up your day job
But everybody needs some time off, so what hobbies do our Steelers have? With time on their hands, some players have developed interesting habits.
From Mary Latu playing the saxophone to Jordyn Preston’s juggling act, the list of skills is eclectic.
Tarsha Gale Cup player Kelsie Frankham keeps a pet lizard, while Patterson (Seriously, is there nothing this girl can’t do?) can tie jelly snakes in knots with her tongue – perhaps a party trick she uses to keep her kids entertained.
When she is not terrorising opposition defences, centre Keele Browne can quote lines from kid’s movies while Ana Raduva can memorise (and sing) songs after hearing them just once. Let’s hope she has the team playbook down pat as well!
Cooking is something that can take your mind off a sporting career. While Harold Matts player Finn Egan has yet to be on Celebrity Masterchef, he reckons he has it mastered.
Watching movies, playing Xbox, hanging out with mates, going to the beach, and sleeping are all popular past times for our Harold Matthews squad members. Budding entrepreneur Harry Middleton has even set up his own photography business.
I’ve been everywhere, man
While most players are local juniors, some SG Ball players are also a well-travelled bunch. Darnell Te Ahuru is a “Pom,” and Kyan Hjaltason is from Iceland.
Callum Leikvoll, son of former Steelers front rower Chris, spent four years in England while ‘Penny’ was playing for Warrington in the English Super League.
While nothing is ever guaranteed in sport, one thing is for sure. If their sporting careers fail to take off, there is no end of opportunities for the Steelers’ crop of 2023.
Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership Squad Profiles
Tarsha Gale Cup Squad Profiles
Harold Matthews Cup Squad Profiles