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With the announcement of the Cronulla Sharks’ female nines team, you come to realise that women play all sorts of roles to make the rugby league clock tick.
The Presenters: Erin Molan, Yvonne Sampson and Lara Pitt
While these girls are quite the sight for your eyes, the passion and knowledge for rugby league these women hold is second to none.
Molan and Sampson’s work for Channel Nine has been a breath of fresh air in the last few years, with Molan co-hosting the Thursday Footy Show and Sampson recently taking over Peter Sterling’s role as host on the Sunday Footy Show.
Lara Pitt also adds another dimension to the Fox Sports team, and both networks have got my vote for the addition of these professionals to their male-dominated panels.
I also have to mention Hannah Hollis who has done a great job helping co-host League Nation Live on SBS. Their hard work and dedication has helped break a glass ceiling for female journalists who are passionate for not only rugby league but also sport in general, and the respect they command is a great thing to see.
The Player: Ruan Sims
The sister of Ashton, Tariq and Korbin and the eldest of the Sims’ tribe is a trailblazer for all female rugby league players out there. Growing up in a family full of boys could have detracted Ruan’s interest in participating in the game, but it was something she believed motivated her, eventually playing for the Australian national team in both rugby league and union, winning World Cups in 2010 and 2013 respectively.
Sims has now put her hand up to be a part of the inaugural Sharks female nines team.
The Boss: Raelene Castle
Since 2013, Raelene Castle has helped the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs with their off-field image as Des Hasler tries to improve their on-field performances.
As the first female NRL CEO, Castle has stabilised the rocking ship that is the Dogs’ culture and has reinforced player education with her no fuss and hard working attitude. With so many NRL CEOs out there merely dealing with paperwork, Castle has instilled togetherness back into the family club.
The Ref: Kasey Badger
With so much criticism being thrown against NRL referees you have to admire the courage and determination of Kasey Badger. Having to deal with sexist taunts has not stopped Badger as she continues to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming an NRL official.
As the wife of NRL referee Gavin, Badger has risen through the ranks as an Under-20s referee in 2012, and since last year has been a sideline official at NRL level. She leads the charge for girls everywhere with hopes of officiating rugby league matches.
In such a male-dominated sport, you have to admire and appreciate the work that women do in the game of rugby league, whether on our TV screens, on the field or behind the scenes. The NRL wouldn’t be the same without them.
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