Wests Tigers squads for the 2023 Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership and Tarsha Gale Cup competitions have been announced, as preparations begin for the new season.
It’s an exciting time for Wests Tigers and its women’s programs as the club prepares for its inaugural season in the NRLW, following last season’s maiden premiership in the Harvey Norman Women’s competition.
More than 80% of the players across both squads are local juniors, and for the very first time, an all-female coaching staff will take charge of the U/19’s team.
The nucleus of the premiership-winning HNW team has been retained for the 2023 new season, with several other players making the step up from last season’s Tarsha Gale squad.
Many of these players will also use the upcoming season as a platform to earn selection in the club’s inaugural NRLW team.
There are plenty of other good storylines to go with the ‘local junior’ angle.
The extended HNW squad includes twins from Campbelltown, the sister of an NRL premiership-winning Panther, a former basketballer from Melbourne, a Sydney Thunder pace-bowler, an Australia Police representative, and a Irish International hooker.
Botille Vette-Welsh is another player with a story to tell. The club captain missed the entire 2022 HNW season after an ACL injury and is determined to make a successful comeback in 2023.
She recently began working for Wests Tigers Community team says she’s loving every minute of it.
“Being out in the community and schools on a daily basis is just brilliant,” said the 26-year-old former Australian Jillaroos representative.
It’s all about enriching the lives of our community. That’s what we’re about.”
Botille Vette-Welsh
“It puts it all into perspective when I see how much work goes on around the club. As a player you tend to take it all for granted, but I’ve seen it from the other side now and I’ve seen how hard all the staff work.
Adel Hage has been appointed head coach of the HNW team after replacing Brett Kimmorley mid-season in 2022. Team Manager is Jessica Schwartz, who was named Wests Tigers Woman of the Year at this year’s Kelly-Barnes Awards night.
Hage says momentum is continuing to build around the women’s game.
“It’s getting stronger every season at NRLW level, and we can see it in the other grades as well,” said Hage.
“Wests Tigers has been building for a number of years in the women’s space, and I’m really excited to be a part of it.”
I think we set some really good standards as a group last season which we will build on in 2023."
Adel Hage
Letitia Taylor has been appointed as head coach of the Tarsha Gale U/19's team, after being an assistant coach for the past two years. Taylor will lead an all-female coaching staff, with Mele Kavapalu and Kellie Stout named as her assistants
Head of Pathways Matthew Betsey is confident the club will continue to see strong growth in the women’s space.
“There’s a tremendous vibe about the club and its women’s programs and that is filtering through junior development as well,” said Betsey.
“We saw a spike in interest around our HNW premiership success and our NRLW license, and it’s had a knock-on effect at all levels.
We’ve had record numbers wanting to join our women’s teams, and it’s so pleasing to see our squads brimming with local juniors.
Matthew Betsey
"As a development club, that’s exactly what we need to see.”
“Young girls are seeing the pathway that is now there, and the Curtain twins are a perfect example of what can be achieved. They played in a boys’ team as eight-year-olds in Campbelltown, and now here they are as Wests Tigers players.”
Betsey says it’s important that opportunities are provided for players who perform well at a local level.
“Belinda Vakerewa is a good example of this. She’s a Campbelltown Collegians premiership player who has been offered a trial with us until she’s completed a season with the Thunder WBBL team.”
Betsey says the club is also mindful of developing good female coaches, as well as players.
“Our Tarsha Gale coaching staff is a good example of our coaching pathways,” said Betsey.
“Mele has been rewarded for her performance as coach of the East Campbelltown U/14’s premiership team, and her work as a Wests Tigers ROAR program coach.
“Kellie has been involved in junior rugby league for several years and was a 2022 participant in the NRL Coach Mentoring Program.”
Both squads will come together for the first time tonight for an induction evening at Wests Tigers Centre of Excellence.
2023 Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership squad
Bianca Bennetts, Harmony Crichton, Emily Curtain, Sophie Curtain, Shekinah Edwards, Najvada George, Imogen Gobran, Jessica Kennedy, Josie Lenaz, Jasmine Lepua, Losana Lutu, Taylor Osborne, Christian Pio, Rebecca Pollard, Ebony Prior, Eliza Siilata, Tess Staines, Hope Tevaga, Folau Vaki, Botille Vette Welsh, Jessica Whelan and Kiara White
Train & Trialists
Erin Coll, Shelby Muir, Georgia Nies, Belinda Vakerewa
Development Players
Iemaima Etuale, Mia Taylor, Tianne-Lee Thorne, Sofaia Vaki
Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership coaching staff
Head Coach: Adel Hage
Assistant Coach: Taiana Scanlan
Assistant Coach: Neil Dunkley
Development Coach: Awhi Akuhata
Team Manager: Jessica Schwartz
2023 Tarsha Gale Cup squad
Emily Audet, Chelsea Blankenstein, Sherina Cauchi, Cheyanne Clarke, Abby Crane, Breanna Cunningham, Ella Fielding, Kristen Grima, Charntelle Haenga, Ma'u Halatoa, Olivia Hind, Emily Hodge, Keira Hol, Imogen Hope, Claire Kennedy, Kaylene Leao, Nelisa Leutele, Imogen Lowe, Myracle Matara, Nora Misa, Shanae Morrison, Macy Morrison, Jae Patu, Ashanti Pennell, Emma-lee Raciti, Jorja Simpson, Havana Simpson, Skye Southon, Jorgi Webb and Emily Wooden
Tarsha Gale Cup coaching staff
Head Coach: Letitia Taylor
Asst Coach: Mele Kavapalu
Asst Coach: Kellie Stout
Manager: Danielle Sherd
