Perrett's inspiring contribution amid fight of her life

Women in League Round celebrates the achievements, dedication and passion of females involved in rugby league at all levels.

For the Gold Coast Titans, a standout contributor to the game is Catie Perrett – a lifelong rugby league volunteer who is now at the Currumbin Eagles.

Perrett has been through many highs and lows in her life - especially with a tremendous battle she faces now - but one constant passion of hers that has remained the same, the greatest game of all.

Growing up in St George, Perrett was involved in rugby league from a young age, following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather who had a strong involvement in the local club.

“I was at the club every Sunday. I went from cheerleading for the teams to helping out in the canteen and helping out with the management of the teams and clubhouse,” she recalled.

It was such an easy choice to get her sons involved in the game from a young age.

“When I became a mum, I had my sons register to play rugby league in Pittsworth,” Perrett said.

“I became involved with the club pretty quickly, starting with volunteering for the club and then moving into first aid for the teams.

“I can see how it made my sons feel. They were so excited and so proud that their mum was helping out at the club."

Throughout the years, Perrett has stayed highly involved as her family have grown and moved through different clubs.

“My youngest son is 11 now, and we joined Currumbin after moving to the Gold Coast,” she said.

“Once he started playing for Currumbin, I decided to join the club and help out where I could. The club had a really strong female presence, which gave me the courage to step up and volunteer again."

But away from the game, the proud volunteer was diagnosed with cancer at the young age of 26 years old.

“Tumours first appeared in my throat and oesophagus. I’m 55 now and unfortunately going through treatment again,” Perrett said.

“I’m currently undergoing radium treatment at the moment, but it’s doing its job. I’m very fortunate that the type of cancer I have is very treatable if found early.

Despite going through life saving treatment, Perrett has found rugby league to be the pride and joy that is a welcomed distraction from her courageous battle, still assisting with first aid and physio with her beloved Eagles six days a week.

“I find volunteering is a great distraction. I get the treatment done on Monday, but when I’m busy at the club, I tend to forget that it’s all going on," she said.

“The players and the younger kids need me. I always want to make sure that they have ­­­got someone to rely on.

“The players when they are injured, are in their most vulnerable states. They are trusting me to help them, so I always want to do my best for them,” she said.

Currumbin junior president Clint Isemonger says Perrett has been an integral part of their club and is indebted for her commitment, especially with the battle she continues to face away from the game.

“In the last couple of years, Catie has done it all. From managing, coaching and helping around the club. She has even stepped up to become a sports trainer and every weekend that we have football on, she is there,” Isemonger said.

“She is always making sure that everyone is looked after and attended to if they need treatment. The players love her; she treats them like her own. There is a lot of respect from the committee, players and everyone at the club.

“She has been struggling with her own health, but still somehow manages to put every ounce of energy back into our club. Even if she is ill, she still steps up and puts out everything.

"She never expects anything in return, she just does it for the love of the club and the game."

Reflecting on the importance of Women in League Round, Perrett is grateful for the week-long celebration and the important issues it continues to highlight.

“Rugby league has been very male-dominated (previously) and there are so many female contributors out there,” she said.

“Women in League Round is extremely important because so often, it's the mums bringing their kids to training, it’s women in the club canteens and volunteering around the grounds and it’s so great for the clubs to recognise that."

Help the Titans celebrate Women in League Round this Sunday afternoon when they host the North Queensland Cowboys at Cbus Super Stadium.