NRLW Players: Sophie Curtain

Hardships are not uncommon for Sophie Curtain.

Uncertainty around her junior football pathway, three consecutive injuries, and juggling a university degree while working two jobs, the 21-year-old continues to thrive in a supportive Wests Tigers environment.

“In 2019 I tore my left meniscus, and then my right in 2021,” said Curtain.

“Last season I had a serious shoulder injury so I’ve been a bit unlucky, but the club is really supportive and a massive influence in my return, so I'm really grateful.

“I don’t have a lot of free time at all, so I have to be really good with time management and prioritising tasks and although it’s stressful, I’m really invested in it.”

Beginning her footballing journey in the Under 8s for Eagle Vale St Andrews, Sophie was joined by her twin sister Emily in a mixed boys and girls Under 10s team before an all-female only competition was developed.

After playing against 18-year-olds when she was just 13, Sophie progressed from Wests Tigers Tarsha Gale competition to the club’s Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership side, where she has been for the past few seasons.

Curtain won the club’s HNWP Player of the Year in 2020, before taking out the premiership last season.

“To finally crack the title after four consecutive finals appearances with players that have been around since the beginning, and being granted an NRLW license, was an amazing feeling,” she said.

Alongside her all the way has been twin sister Emily.

“Being able to do it together has been one of the most enjoyable parts of my journey,” said Curtain.

To do it with Emily is super exciting and not something a lot of people get to do.

Sophie Curtain

“There haven’t been any twins play so to be able to be the first set in the women’s game would be awesome.”

Sophie acknowledges her footballing journey has been a little unorthodox but says the future for other girls looks bright.

“It’s a really strong system we have at Wests Tigers now,” said Curtain.

“Because of our NRLW license we now have a clear pathway for other local girls from the age of 12 through to the top level.

It will be enormous for the development of Wests Tigers and the women’s game going forward.

Sophie Curtain

Away from rugby league, Sophie continues to study a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours) at Wollongong University.

Curtain has been interested in sports nutrition since her early days as a junior Australian and Muay Thai champion and hopes to put her education to good use down the track.

“Nutrition plays a massive role in performing at an elite level,” she said.

“I played every sport under the sun and having a better understanding of nutrition and its importance has made a massive difference in my own performance.

“Muay Thai is a weight-based sport, and you have to manipulate your food to allow you to perform your best and meet weight categories, so that is where it sparked my interest.”

When I’m finished competing at an elite level I want to stay involved in sport through nutrition and dietetics, hopefully at the Wests Tigers one day.

Sophie Curtain