Grace Kemp was a rower and basketballer before switching to rugby union and the Brumbies Super W. Photo: Canberra Raiders.
For supporters of women’s sport, the arrival of the Raiders women’s rugby league team fills an important void in Canberra’s sporting calendar.
The WNBL, the A-League Women, the Brumbies Super W and the Canberra Meteors aren’t in action at this time of the year, leaving clear space for the Raiders NRLW team.
The Raiders are one of four new teams in the NRLW this season, along with the Sharks, Cowboys and Wests Tigers.
On Sunday at Shark Park, the Raiders make their debut against fellow NRLW debutants, the Sharks, before returning to play the Roosters in their first home game at Canberra Stadium.
The Raiders NRL side faces Newcastle the following week, on the same day that the women’s squad take on the Roosters in the ultimate double header.
It will present an opportunity for many Canberra fans to see their NRLW team in action, live for the first time.
Raiders WNRL presented to the crowd at Canberra Stadium. Photo: Jennifer Andrew.
And there is plenty to like about this Raiders NRLW side with an abundance of backstories.
Nineteen-year-old English forward Hollie-Mae Dodd starred for her home country at last year’s World Cup. Hollie was a ballroom dancing champion before discovering a passion for rugby league four years ago. She is the first English woman to sign a professional rugby league deal in Australia.
Hollie-Mae Dodd is the first English woman to sign a professional rugby league deal in Australia. Photo: Canberra Raiders.
Fellow forward Simaima Taufa won the women’s rugby league Dally M Player of the Year Award in 2017, as well as winning two World Cups with the Jillaroos.
Zahara Temara was the vice-captain of the Queensland Maroons women’s team in the Origin this year.
Zahara Temara joins the Raiders following five seasons with the Sydney Roosters. Photo: Canberra Raiders.
Kiwi winger Madison Bartlett is playing with her fourth NRLW club, following stints with the Warriors, St George-Illawarra and the Gold Coast.
Ash Quinlan won a Touch World Cup, while Sophie Holyman starred for the Queensland Reds before making the switch to league to play for the Broncos last season.
Grace Kemp was a rower and basketballer before switching to rugby union and the Brumbies Super W. Last year she made her debut for the Wallaroos.
She has the potential to be a significant drawcard.
In all, there are 12 players in the squad with NRLW experience.
While the focus is on the on-field performances, it is as equally important to highlight the off-field acquisitions.
Coach Darrin Borthwick has done an incredible job in starting a team from scratch, while former Australian player Lisa Fiaola’s appointment as the Raiders NRLW Well Being and Education Manager is a significant coup for the Club.
In the end, it will be more than results defining the success of this team. The team has the scope to inspire a generation of young female rugby league players.
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