The Round 5 match-up against the North Queensland Cowboys and a return to the NRL for Reynolds won't be the only weekend highlights for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
As Cameron Ciraldo readies his side to take on the Cowboys this Sunday at Accor Stadium, the Club's women's pathways are also preparing to celebrate a significant milestone, as they play as the curtain raisers for the first time in Club history.
The Bulldogs Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership team will officially make history for the Bulldogs when they run out ahead of the NRL side on Sunday afternoon - a side that will feature a return to the NRL by fan favourite, Josh Reynolds.
The Bulldogs Tarsha Gale Cup side was also due to play as a preliminary match, however, due to an extraordinary 24-hour rain event in Sydney, the match was relocated to Kellyville Park (3:30pm kick-off). The decision was made in conjunction with Accor Stadium and the Parramatta Eels to reduce the impact on the arena and preserve the playing surface for today’s other games, including the NRL fixture Bulldogs v Cowboys.
While Reynolds will make his start from the bench for the match that will mark his 201st club game (after notching 200 games in last week's NSW Cup match against New Zealand), the prior Harvey Norman Women's match will mark an entirely different but equally momentous occasion in the women's game.
The advancement, growth and progression of our Academy programs have been a priority for the Bulldogs and the Club is thrilled to be providing young, local female talent with an opportunity to experience the atmosphere and facilities that will be shared by the first-grade side that same evening.
With a new Centre of Excellence on the horizon, as announced earlier this month, plans for premier facilities mean that the girls won't be far off training and competing at a world-class home facility in Belmore, with dedicated Academy and female spaces.
Coinciding with the history-making, curtain-raising matches, the Club will launch its' Elite Pup's Academy Foundation in partnership with the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF). The Bulldogs Female Pups Academy is a unique program providing young women with skills, tools, strategies and experience to play Rugby League at the highest level whilst learning core values to succeed off the field.
The Foundation will be launched to help raise funds to support the growth of the women's game at Canterbury, and an initial, generous contribution has been made by the Bulldogs' Official Women's Pathway Partner, Vari Group.
The Club's Board and Management have strongly supported expansion in the women's programs, growing its' female Academy by over 200% with the re-introduction of the Harvey Norman Women's Competition side and the welcoming of an all-new Lisa Fiaola Cup side in 2023.
The increased representation is excellent, but not without cost to the Club.
With an NRLW bid submitted for the next competition expansion, the Bulldogs aren't sitting idly by and waiting for their chance to increase female representation in the sport.
The Bulldogs have welcomed more females across all levels of the game, working in senior leadership, operations, high performance, medical services, player development, wellbeing positions and more.
Female participation in junior league is on the rise, and the Club's aim in providing more opportunities and experiences like the matches on Sunday is to inspire even more females to get involved in the game.
In support of this vision, the Club has generously donated over 1000 tickets to local schools, and junior and female rugby league teams to come and watch the weekends' three blockbuster matches.
As the Club works towards providing more resources, tools and support to help young females reach their full potential in Rugby League, they are calling on fans and our community to get behind us and help grow the women's game.
To support the initiative, you can purchase tickets to Sunday's match, here, join a membership with options starting from as low as $50, or donate now via the ASF (here).
Both Bulldogs women's sides are in leading positions in their respective NSWRL competitions (Tarsha Gale sitting in 1st and Harvey Norman in 3rd), while the Bulldogs and Cowboys will both be looking to bag a win on Sunday, sitting on 2 wins and 2 losses each.
Secure your seats now to be part of history.
GAME DETAILS *Updated as of April 2
2023 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 5
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v North-Queensland Cowboys
Sunday 2 April 2023
Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW
Gates Open 3:35pm
Harvey Norman Women’s Cup Kick off - Bulldogs v Wenty Magpies: 3:50pm
NRL Kick off - Bulldogs v Cowboys: 6:15pm
Share your game day experience with the hashtag #proudtobeabulldog
All ticket holders can enjoy free travel by train to Sydney Olympic Park this Sunday.
