Play your part to change the story.
Steph Hancock has done that for 20+ years and this weekend the Titans will acknowledge that legacy in a small way as part of NRL Women in League Round celebrations at their Round 20 clash against the Canberra Raisers at Cbus Super Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
This year’s theme aims to highlight that everyone has an important role to play in driving increased opportunities for women, both on and off the field.
With the introduction of the Titans NRLW side, development of increased pathway opportunities, the Titans are doing just that.
The round celebrates not just on-field contributions but that across all levels of the game.
Here are just some of the ways the Titans will be doing so at Cbus Super Stadium this weekend.
A giant and a junior to present the match ball
Steph Hancock has been a colossus of the women's game, on and off the field, for many years and tomorrow, supported by a junior girl rugby league player, they will present the match ball to the Cbus Super Stadium crowd. Already a Titans fan favourite, Hancock has carted the ball up for females in rugby league for many years and tomorrow's acknowledgement is one small way the club and game will show its appreciation.
Guard of Honour
The Titans NRL side will run out to a unique guard of honour tomorrow, with significant females from the players lives combining with key Titans and Gold Coast Rugby League personnel and staff to celebrate the diverse female roles that play a part in rugby league on the Coast. From CFOs, development officers, Mums, Grandmothers and daughters there will be a group of women who have had a significant impact on the game of rugby league over a long period of time represented.
Karina Brown Challenge to fill the stands
A new tournament, named in honour of Karina Brown earlier this year, will see its participants fill section 14 with plenty of colour and noise. Brown has championed the women's game for many years - setting up two state based club and being the one of the first Titans signed to the club's inaugural NRLW side. The under 12s competition has seen participation rates rise by over 40% in its first year and is just another way pathways for girls are opening up on the Coast. Keep an eye out for the colourful and noisy 240-strong participants in the southern stand tomorrow.
From the NRL's CEO...
NRL CEO, Andrew Abdo, said that Harvey Norman Women in League Round is an opportunity to celebrate progress and those helping to drive it, as well as reflect on the work still to be done.
“Harvey Norman Women in League Round is a chance to celebrate all those who are playing their part for women in Rugby League - the incredible volunteers and club staff working tirelessly at grassroots, the legends and emerging stars inspiring young women to take up the game, the coaches and administrators creating new pathways, and our partners and media giving women the profile they deserve," he said.
“We are proud that women’s Rugby League continues to enjoy unprecedented growth from grassroots all the way up to the elite level. We now have almost 35,000 registered female players across Australia – more than triple the number we had at the start of 2016 – and have already surpassed 2021’s total registrations this year by seven per cent.
“That, in turn, is supporting the growth of our state competitions and the NRLW, which will expand from six to 10 teams in 2023.
“But this round is also a reminder that we need to keep working for greater representation at all levels of the game – particularly when it comes to leadership positions across the game and creating pathways for future executives," Abdo added.
"Like any high performing team, we need everyone in the Rugby League community to play their part to change the story.”
