The Gold Coast Titans is excited to celebrate an expansion of their NRLW Academy, providing a pathway for young female athletes to play elite level rugby league without having to leave their local region.
In an extension to the existing Future Titans female program that has seen a number of players emerge, such as World Cup representatives Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell and Chantay Kiria-Ratu in the last 12 months, the Academy will continue to deliver expert coaching and development led by experienced staff for 16-19 year old players from Logan to Lismore to achieve their potential.
Led by director of female rugby league Karyn Murphy, she will be joined in 2023 by ex-Jillaroo and Queensland Schoolgirls coach Veronica White and game development officer Tim McIntyre in nurturing the best emerging female talent to an eventual progression to the NRLW Telstra Premiership.
The Academy will also partner with Griffith University with support from high level coaching and development staff to help the program prosper, alongside access to their gym and field facilities as a hub alongside the club's training base at Parkwood.
Murphy says it's great to expand on the current program to pave a structured Gold Coast female pathway through to the NRLW.
"There is such immense talent across the Gold Coast and surrounding areas and the expansion of our Academy is a huge step forward to define a clear pathway to the elite level of our game after our first successful year of our NRLW program" she said.
"Our exisiting Future Titans program has already produced a number of exciting young female players that have gone on and represented their country at the recent World Cup, and to expand on that program with help from Griffith University will help give the opportunity for our home-grown talent to continue to emerge without having to leave our local region.
"Having the expertise of both Veronica and Tim involved is also a massive coup with the pair involved in rugby league for a vast period of time as specialised female coaches. They will be joined by local club and school coaches to assist the delivery of our programs."
Academy sessions have already begun in preparation for their upcoming clash against the Newcastle Knights on Saturday, January 21 in Coffs Harbour.
Talent identification will also continue across the Gold Coast region in consultation with local schools and clubs.
