NSWRL Women in Sport Leadership

Why It Was Created

The program was developed in consultation with senior players, coaches, NSWRL leadership and UNE Partnerships to address systemic barriers women face in attaining leadership roles across elite sport.

• It aims to build women’s capacity in critical areas such as emotional intelligence, communication, team management, media engagement and change leadership, competencies essential for effective leadership in sport.
• By offering a structured, nationally accredited pathway, WISL supports both emerging and established women in sport to professionalise and expand their career opportunities across multiple codes.

Notable Alumni & Impact

The WISL program has attracted women from a broad cross-section of Australia’s sporting community, not just rugby league, but also sports such as athletics, surf lifesaving, basketball, football, and more.

Many graduates have gone on to take influential roles including coaching, administration, community engagement and program management. The program has been widely praised for significantly boosting participants’ confidence, leadership capacity, communication skills, and professional networks.

“The biggest change is the greater awareness I have of myself,” Rachel Herrick, Basketball NSW Program Manager Women and Girls said. “It’s made me a better person in my personal life as well as how I show up for my job. It will make interactions and conversations at work more beneficial. The people I met on the course as well have given me a great life connection. We’re all in different sports but we’re all aiming for the same thing, to make a real contribution.”

How the Program Works

A 20-week blended delivery format: online learning plus four two-day face-to-face workshops at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence.

• Includes facilitator-led sessions, group webinars, individual coaching, peer engagement and assessments.
• Participants complete two core modules, which build skills in emotional intelligence, communication, leadership, change management and interpersonal dynamics. These modules provide credit toward further leadership qualifications.
• Entry to the program (via NSWRL) is open to women in coaching, administration or management roles in NSW state or national sporting organisations.

2025 Alumni Breakfast, Celebrating Success

On 1 December 2025, NSWRL held the inaugural WISL Alumni Breakfast at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence, Sydney Olympic Park. The event brought together 24 graduates, program stakeholders, and key figures including former assistant coach and commentator Ruan Sims, NSWRL Board members and representatives from the Office of Sport, in all, over 60 guests.

A panel discussion featured distinguished alumni including Kate Cass, Poi Birtles and Rachel Herrick, who shared how WISL had positively impacted their leadership journey and career goals.

Looking Forward: The Future of WISL

UNE Partnerships and NSWRL remain committed to expanding WISL’s reach, broadening access across women’s sporting organisations. The program represents an ongoing commitment to gender equity in sport and to building strong, capable leadership among women in Australia’s sporting sector.