The Illawarra Steelers launched their inaugural 2023 Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership (HNWP) season on Wednesday evening, 25 January, at the Steelers Club in Wollongong.
Under the guidance of head coach Alicia Kate-Hawke, Illawarra will kick off their historic season by hosting the South Sydney Rabbitohs in a quadruple header at WIN Stadium on February 5 after the Steelers Harold Matthews, Tarsha Gale Cup, and SG Ball junior representative sides take on the Penrith Panthers at the same venue.
The HNWP team has a bye in Round Two before away games against the Magpies, Roosters, Dragons, and Bulldogs. Round Seven is the first of four home games in a row for the Scarlet and Whites against the Bears, Mounties, Sharks, and Knights before taking on last year’s premiers, Wests Tigers, in the Final Round.
Steelers Chairman Graeme Gulloch said the Illawarra’s inclusion in the NSWRL’s premier women’s open-age competition allows the region to showcase the progression of women’s and girls’ rugby league.
“History will be made with the Steelers entering the HNWP competition – and we’re challenging every footy fan and supporter of women’s sport to show up and support some of our game’s superstars and the next generation of talent,” Gulloch said.
Along with the Marquee signings of captain Keeley Davis, Kezie Apps, Emma Tonegato, and Tahlia Fuimaono, a host of local juniors have returned to the club, including Teagan Berry, Keele Browne, Tiana Kore, Salma Nour, Riley Scott, Anji Tau, Zali Yeo, Lily Rogan, Jordyn Preston, April Stevens, Ula-Mari Time-Cribb, Olivia Vale, Viena Tinao and Ella Koster.
“With the inclusion of the HNWP team, I want to acknowledge the role of every woman and girls’ rugby league pioneer – player, administrator, referee, coach, volunteer, and supporter for their commitment and passion to the game.”
Gulloch also thanked team sponsors and suppliers, for their outstanding support, many of whom have had long-term partnerships with the club.
“It’s thanks to the commitment and enthusiasm of our major sponsors such as South32, Harrigan Motor Group, Coastwide Engineering, and Boab Services, we can create a pathway to state representation and higher honours within our regionally based city. I’d also like to welcome Coal Services and KJ Scaffolding as new apparel partners for the upcoming HNWP season.”
Round One Fixtures | WIN Stadium | Sunday, 5 February 2023
· 10:30 am – Harold Matthews Cup (Under 17 Boys) Steelers v Penrith Panthers
· 12.00 pm – Tarsha Gale Cup (Under 19 Girls) Steelers v Penrith Panthers
· 1:30 pm – SG Ball (Under 19 Boys) Steelers v Penrith Panthers
· 3:15 pm – Harvey Norman NSW’s Premiership Steelers v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Harvey Norman NSWRL Women’s Premiership Squad
Kezie Apps, Teagan Berry, Keele Browne, Kaarla Cowan, Keeley Davis, Jade Etherden, Taliah Fuimaono, Tiana Kore, Ella Koster, Mary Latu, Salma Nour, Olivia Patterson, Rachael Pearson, Sharna Piccinelli, Jordyn Preston, Ana Raduva, Lily Rogan, Riley Scott, Anastasia Shum, April Stevens, Josie Strong, Bianca Sutton, Anji Tau, Ula-Mari Time-Cribb, Viena Tinao, Emma Tonegato, Shakiah Tungai, Olivia Vale, Zali Yeo. Coach | Alicia-Kate Hawke
Viliami Amone, Ethan Cliff, Dylan Egan, Taj Ford, Kane Graham, Jacob Haeata, Te Umuariki Heremia-Tukere, Kyan Hjaltason, Neasan Jha-Langley, Lyhkan King-Togia, Isaac Laughton, Callum Leikvoll, Jett Liu, Campbell Lyons, Zak Maarbani, Toby Miller, Ramses Munro, Seth Pearman, Wesley Pring, Jack Quine, Campbell Rubie, Toby Rumble, Bailey Sassall, Hamish Stewart, Darnell Te Ahuru, Vaenuku Vatuvei, Ashton Ward, James Walsh. Coach | Russ Aitken
Sulieti Ahio, Madeleine Allen, Charlotte Basham, Indie Bostock, Jayla Commins, Darcy Eade, Elise Farrant, Ella Fisher, Kelsie Frankham, Tayleah Handcock, Keira Hol, Bianca Jones, Ella Koster, Bella Lachlan, Taleisha Love, Brielle Luccitti, Hope Millard, Sienna Jade Morgan, Hunter-Lee Patrick, Tully Phillips, Rangitaiki Pohatu, Herewaka Pohatu, Brody Preston, Kasey Reh, Chelsea Savill, Katie Stevens, Caley Tallon-Henniker, Mia-rose Walsh, Bronte Wilson, Amelia Wright, Sienna Yeo. Coach | Courtney Crawford
Hudson Bailey, Lucas Borg, Brodie Breakspear, Hayden Buchanan, Dreau Clark, Josiah Clifford, Finn Egan, Joseph Elton, Talitiga Feagai, Aaymon Fitzgibbon, Lachlan Greatz, Charlie Heidke, Ezekiel Kennedy, Tom Kirk, Drew Langdon, Letham Manago, Daniel Meafou, Harry Middleton, Thomas Nelson, Kade Reed, Jett Rorie, Noah Skippen, Jackson Smith, Zechariah Taufa, Zane Timmins, Leeroy Weatherill, Harry Wililo. Coach | Aaron McDonald
