Waiting game allows Murphy to expand NRLW pathways

It's a matter of biding time right now for the Titans NRLW program.

As the Collective Bargaining Agreement is finalised between the NRL and Rugby League Players Association before clubs can begin contracting players for the expanded 10-team competition, it's been a patient wait for the green light to get going in getting ready for 2023.

Whilst there is a desire to get the deal done as soon as possible, Gold Coast coach Karyn Murphy knows the importance of getting it right for the program that is anticipated to run for around five months of the year.

"All clubs are in the same boat where we can't start contracting... the starting gun hasn't gone, so at this point, we can sort of get in our minds the roster we want and plan for that, but we haven't got a salary cap yet and we are still waiting for that starting time," she said.

"I know they're working hard down there at the NRL with the clubs and the Players Association, so I guess while they're doing that, we just have to wait to start talking to the girls properly and being able to contract them."

In the interim, all focus has been on the expansion of the Titans' NRLW Academy, which links Under 17 and 19 players to the club's elite female program and includes a big day of rugby league coming up in Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights on January 21.

"It's really special. The Titans have been working hard in the women's space in the last few years with their Academy program for Under 17 and 19 girls in the area," Murphy said.

"We really want them and their families to be a part of the Gold Coast Titans and make it a genuine pathway that they can come through and know that they can be a part of our Academy.

"We'll work with them after the Academy and some of the girls will be in our development list and like other players that have come through in the past, we want them to come through and play for us in the NRLW.

"They all came in for an induction last week and we've partnered with Griffith University and have been training there."

One of the program's shining lights is Chantay Kiria-Ratu, who has grown up on the Gold Coast and excelled coming through the club's pathways.

Only a month shy of being old enough to feature in the most recent NRLW season, she did get the opportunity to play in the World Cup for the Cook Islands.

"Chantay is a perfect example (of our pathway). She came through Keebra Park at school as well as our academies and then into our squad as a development player last year," Murphy said.

"She was the youngest player over there playing for the Cook Islands at the World Cup, so we're definitely really excited to keep Chantay here next year and even though we aren't able to start contracting yet, we'd love her to be a part of our Titans NRLW squad."