The New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) and UNE Partnerships celebrated the achievements of Women in Sport Leadership (WISL) graduates at the inaugural Alumni Breakfast on Monday 1 December 2025 at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence, Sydney Olympic Park.
More than 60 guests attended, including Westpac NSW Blues Women’s assistant coach and commentator Ruan Sims (shown in image), 24 program graduates, NSWRL Board members Kevin Greene and Joe Kelly, representatives from the Office of Sport and UNE Partnerships, and Paddle Australia CEO Kim Crane.
The breakfast featured a panel discussion with distinguished graduates including NSWIS Head of Operations and Projects Kate Cass (2022 graduate), NSWRL Far West Junior Community Engagement Coordinator Poi Birtles (2024), and Basketball Programs Manager Rachel Herrick (2024), who shared their insights on the program’s impact and their leadership learnings.
“The NSWRL is extremely pleased to host the inaugural Women in Sports Leadership alumni breakfast as it is a program that we are extremely proud to be associated with.” NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said. “The program was developed in consultation with senior players, coaches and the NSWRL and recognises the barriers that women face in achieving leadership roles across elite sports as well as offering an innovative training initiative to support their career development.”
Image description: David and Jenny giving Liz Callaghan from NSW Rugby League her certificate.
The collaboration between NSWRL and UNE Partnerships has created a transformative educational pathway specifically designed for women in sporting leadership. The flexible delivery model accommodates the demanding schedules of sports professionals while maintaining rigorous academic standards aligned with national training frameworks.
The program curriculum addresses critical competencies including emotional intelligence, team building, communication strategies, change management, and media engagement, skills essential for women aspiring to leadership positions in sports administration, coaching, and management.
Jenny Sewell, UNE Partnerships Academic Director for Leadership and Management, said, “This program continues to prove how powerful education can be in unlocking confidence, capability, and leadership potential for women in sport.”
The program combines facilitator-led workshops with flexible online learning over 20 weeks and face-to-face sessions. Participants complete two Diploma and Certificate-level modules, which provide credit towards entry to a Diploma or Certificate IV in Leadership and Management, creating pathways for further professional development.
Since its pilot in 2021, WISL has achieved a 95% completion rate, with 63 participants from more than 20 state sporting organisations graduating with nationally recognised qualifications. The program continues to address the barriers women face in progressing into leadership roles across elite sport.
The new Alumni initiative will expand peer networks, mentoring opportunities, and cross-code collaboration while supporting greater representation of women in sport leadership.
NSWRL acknowledged the support of the Holman Barnes Group, whose funding ensures the program remains accessible to women across diverse sporting organisations.
The success of the Women in Sport Leadership program demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships in addressing systemic barriers and creating meaningful change. As graduates progress into influential roles across Australian sport, they serve as role models and decision-makers capable of driving innovation and excellence within their organisations.
For more details about this important program: NSW Rugby League Women in Sports Leadership Program.
Matthew Beal, representing UNE Partnerships, emphasised the significance of the partnership: “This program exemplifies what can be achieved when industry expertise meets educational excellence.
We work closely with NSWRL to ensure the curriculum addresses real-world challenges women face in sports leadership while providing nationally recognised credentials that open doors to career advancement. We are excited to see this program continue to grow and expand in 2026.”
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