The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are pleased to announce the appointment of Blake Cavallaro as the Club’s NRLW Head Coach and Head of Female Pathways.
Cavallaro joins the Bulldogs with a wealth of experience having spent over 12 years at the Sydney Roosters working across roles in participation, wellbeing, development, coaching talent, and pathways. Cavallaro has most recently served as the Head of Male and Female Pathways for the Roosters and coached their Tarsha Gale Cup team, leading his squad to back-to-back undefeated Premierships in 2022 And 2023. In addition to his time at the Sydney-based club, Cavallaro also coached the U19 Women’s NSW team to back-to-back State of Origin wins in 2021 and 2022.
Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton expressed the Club’s excitement in appointing a coach with the experience and vision of Cavallaro ahead of the Bulldogs' 90th anniversary in the NRL and inaugural NRLW season in 2025.
"The Bulldogs are thrilled to welcome Blake to the family. With open arms, he's embraced the opportunity to lead as the Club's first NRLW Coach, especially during such a monumental year for us as we celebrate our 90th anniversary. His appointment builds on our extensive history and legacy in the game as a new chapter in women’s football begins.”
Cavallaro’s appointment will see him oversee the entirety of the women’s program at Canterbury, working closely with Head of Pathways, Adam Hartigan, and General Manager of Football, Phil Gould before officially stepping into the Head Coach position as of November 1, 2024.
"Together, Blake and the Club are excited to spend the next few months building on our existing pathways and readying our Club to be not only competition-ready in 2025 but to have strong underlying grassroots and pathways all the way from junior league to the Premier competition. Drawing from his invaluable experience at the Roosters, Blake will bring not only expertise but also a hands-on approach. He shares our vision to foster the game's expansion at all levels as well as continue to grow on our successes at the Bulldogs,” said Warburton.
General Manager of Football Phil Gould endorsed the appointment of Cavallaro to lead the Bulldogs NRLW program, stating that he was the best candidate to lead the future of the women in blue and white:
“With this, our first venture into the NRLW, it was imperative we sourced an experienced, well-respected person to manage and coach our Women's program. Blake Cavallaro ticked all the boxes in this regard, and we are delighted that he has joined the Bulldogs."
Cavallaro will oversee all female pathways operations and player development throughout the upcoming NSWRL Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership season, before commencing in his role formally as the NRLW Head Coach in 2025.
Cavallaro views his appointment as the next milestone in what is sure to be a storied career, stating the opportunities and challenges inherent in the new role are something he is ready to embrace.
“When I sat down with Gus and Adam Hartigan and learned the vision that they wanted to achieve, I knew that it was something that I wanted to be a part of. One of the biggest things we spoke about was inclusion and the combining of the male and female programs.
“I am really looking forward to working with Cameron Ciraldo on aligning our programs and learning more about the rich history here at the Bulldogs. There is a big history, nearly 90 years, and now females get to be a part of that history and create their own legacy. It’s going to be pretty special and unique.
“I just can’t wait for Round 1 and to see how the girls pull on the Bulldogs jersey and wear it with pride. I’m thrilled and looking forward to this next chapter.”
