The Illawarra Steelers have submitted a bid to the NSWRL for inclusion in the 2023 Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership, the premier competition and steppingstone for players and Clubs in the pathway to the NRLW and State of Origin selection.
Preparations are well underway for the teams anticipated entry with the appointment of Tarsha Gale Cup coach Alicia-Kate Hawke as the inaugural coach of the Women’s side and current NSW State of Origin and St George Illawarra NRLW Dragons player Keeley Davis as Club Captain.
Hawke has been instrumental in the women’s game locally, winning three premierships with the Corrimal Cougars as a player before moving into the coaching ranks. Hawke is the assistant coach of the Dragons NRLW and NSW Origin teams.
Davis was a vital member of the first-ever Illawarra Steelers’ Tarsha Gale Cup team in 2017, awarded Player of the Year, and captained the side in 2018 before making her debut for the Dragons.
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“The Steelers have successfully developed players through our Lisa Fiaola Cup and Tarsha Gale Cup pathways for several years,” said Illawarra Steelers Deputy Chairman Sean O’Connor.
“We are looking to progress the development of the women’s game in the Illawarra through the entry of a Steelers team in an elite competition, with a direct pathway to the St George Illawarra Dragons and the NRLW.”
In the 2022 season, 26 players transferred from the Illawarra region to play for other clubs competing in the Harvey Norman Premiership.
These included former Illawarra Women’s Rugby League players Kezie Apps (Helensburgh Tigers) and Jessica Sergis (Helensburgh Tigers). They led the West Tigers to the 2022 premiership, defeating the Cronulla Sharks 21-20 in the Grand Final. Meanwhile, Sam Bremner (Helensburgh Tigers) and Teagan Berry (Stingrays of Shellharbour) featured in the Sharks line-up.
“If accepted, the Steelers Harvey Norman Premiership team will improve opportunities for women and girls in our region. Our elite players will be able to represent their region and play in the local competition,” O’Connor said.
First founded in 2005, the 2023 HNWP will kick off the Women’s season, commencing in February and running through to the end of May. The Women’s State of Origin series begins in June before the NRLW starts in mid-July.