From hosting a ‘gin and high tea’ luncheon to installing period product dispensers at Belmore, here are all the ways the Bulldogs embraced the NRL’s Women In League Round.
The weekend gone has marked a significant moment in the National Rugby League (NRL) calendar as it embraced the official 2023 Women In League (WIL) Round. The Bulldogs, a club with a rich history and an eye on the future, were amongst those celebrating the contributions of women to the game and promoting gender equality both here in Belmore and from afar in Bundaberg.
The Women In League Round, which initially began as a platform to acknowledge the invaluable role of women in the men's Premiership, has evolved over the years and now recognises the rapid growth of women's rugby league, especially at the elite level.
As a first for the Rugby League, this year's WIL Round coincided with both the NRLW and NRL Premierships and while the Bulldogs were away in Bundaberg hosting a regional fixture, the Club was also working with the NRLW for Belmore Sports Ground to play host to two special NRLW matches.
The launch of the expanded NRLW has been a testament to the tremendous growth of the women's game, and while the Bulldogs eagerly work towards an NRLW entry, the Club is determined to highlight all the pathways into the sport for women, both on and off the field.
Aaron Warburton, Bulldogs CEO, expressed the Club's commitment to the advancement and progression of women's rugby league, stating, "Women make a tremendous contribution at all levels of our Football Club, and the growth of the women's game is a priority for the Bulldogs."
The Bulldogs have left no stone unturned in their efforts to support and develop the women's game. With representation now across all premier NSWRL female competitions from the Lisa Fiaola and Tarsha Gale Cups, to the Harvey Norman Women's Premiership, the Club is already nurturing the next generation of female athletes.
The Bulldogs aim to enter the NRLW competition in the future (with a goal to be granted a licence as soon as the next competition expansion), busily preparing a tender, and our female Academy and pathway programs are already underway, playing a pivotal role in preparing young female athletes to make their mark.
In pursuit towards sustained excellence, the Bulldogs have invested over 1.5 million into their female programs this year alone and attracted significant sponsorship. The support of Vari Group as the Club's first official female pathways sponsor has been instrumental in the achievements seen by the Club this season, with two teams becoming grand finalists and record representation in the NSWRL City vs. Country and NSW Origin teams.
At a very special Women In League Luncheon, as hosted at Canterbury League Club last Wednesday, Kerry-Anne Johnston - Chair of the Jaycar Electronics Group also pledged the support of long-term Bulldogs supporters, Jaycar Productions and the Bayard Foundation in helping the Club's advancement of women in Rugby League from 2024 onwards.
Jaycar's support comes from recognising how focused the Bulldogs are on creating opportunities for women on the field, as well as within their football department and administration teams.
Female staff members hold various roles across the organisation including senior leadership, operations, high performance, medical services, player development, careers and well-being, and all contribute to a diverse and inclusive club culture.
Off the field, the Bulldogs are dedicated to supporting player families, Members, and the local community. The Club's vision for the future includes the construction of a $60 million Centre of Excellence at Belmore so that future first-grade women can have the opportunity to train within the same clubhouse as the men.
The Bulldogs' commitment to women's empowerment goes well beyond the field of play. Initiatives, such as the Elite Pups Academy, which is a unique scholarship program and high-performance camp for emerging female athletes in its inaugural year, have already helped young talents pursue elite athletic careers whilst developing skills to excel in life outside of sport also.
In line with the NRL's WIL Round, the club was delighted to roll out an all-new Washroom Dignity program, collaborating with Rentokil Initial to demonstrate the Clubs incomparable commitment to providing all female athletes and staff with the tools and facilities they need to excel.
The program, which is aimed at breaking down barriers to female participation and performance in sports by providing access to essential sanitary products and facilities, is the first seen within the Australian female sports ecosystem.
With an NRLW double-header having hit Belmore Sports Ground for the first time at the weekend, the Club was extremely proud to trailblaze women's sport by offering the free provision of period products in the locker rooms and bathrooms for all the players and staff. By installing dispensers in time for the four teams arriving at the Ground for their matches, the female players, as well as the over 1,800 spectators, were able to access the provisions with complements of the Bulldogs.
The Club's Head of Retail, and Harvey Norman Premiership winger, Georgia Ravics was at the forefront of the installation. Not only is she a spokesperson for the program, but she was also named the Club's 2023 Women In League ambassador:
"Georgia is an inspirational example of a female athlete who excels both on and off the field," her official nomination read.
"She is a senior team member of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, successfully managing our retail and merchandise programs as Head of Retail, and a female rugby league player who plays the sport at the most elite level, excelling in our 2023 inaugural Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership team as a leading try scorer and role model within a young squad."
Georgia made her first NRLW squad in the Cronulla Sharks this season and successfully manages to balance a career in sport with her training requirements as a professional athlete.
"Georgia has maintained a key role in helping the club achieve its' vision to support the growth of its' female Academy and Pathway programs and has led the charge in helping the Bulldogs to develop training apparel and performance attire that is suitable for our female athletes, to help them train and perform at their best. She has been proactive in her community engagements, in growing our merchandise program to record results, and is an ambassador for a new, innovative Washroom Dignity program that the Bulldogs have rolled out in line with this year's Women In League Round."
Simultaneously as the NRLW hit Belmore, the Club had welcomed eight local Bundaberg women onto Salter Oval to form a special guard of honour at their Round 22 home NRL game against the Dolphins.
The women were compromised of nominees from local clubs and organisations who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to support the growth of the game in Bundaberg, representing all aspects of sport from grassroots to administration.
Among the nominees was Sonya Olsen, who has dedicated 32 years of service to Rugby League. She is the Secretary/Registrar of Bundaberg's Northern District and Gin Gin, a representative men's A-grade team manager, Women In League Coordinator and acting Gin Gin Rugby League Treasurer. She is also the Founder of Walk With Me For Autism - All Abilities Program, who the club proudly welcomed to play as the match day curtain raisers.
The Bulldogs stand as a shining example of a Club that values diversity and strives to create a lasting impact on the lives of talented female athletes. Through an unwavering support and commitment, the Club are shaping the future of women's rugby league and ensuring that there is "more to play for" in the NRL's Women In League Round and beyond.
Aaron Warburton concluded, "We are proud to celebrate how far we have come as we celebrate all Women in League - and we are proud to say we are on a journey to creating a new legacy for women at the Bulldogs. We are far from done and only just getting started."
As the Bulldogs wrap up Women In League Round, we extend our gratitude to all women who contribute to the game, from participants, spectators and player families, to volunteers, organisers, and club staff. Their dedicated female supporter base, including the Travelling Ladies who attend every game and the Sapphires (the Club's official cheerleaders), all play an indispensable role in making the club a true "Club For All."
About the NRL's Women In League Round
The Women in League Round 2023 celebrates those who are playing their part for women in Rugby League while recognising that there is still much more to play for when it comes to growth and opportunity across the game.
At a grassroots level, more than 40,000 women and girls are now playing Club Rugby League across the country (up 14% year-on-year), supported by 17,000 registered female coaches, trainers and volunteers (11% increase) and 698 registered female referees (7.5% increase).
To find out more about the pathways for women in Rugby League, those who are pioneering the way and how you can play your part, head to NRL.com.
