It's the dawn of a new era for the Dragons' NRLW side, and as part of the NRL Telstra Premiership Footy Country Series, which is celebrating and supporting rugby league communities in regional Australia during the 2024 season, pan66.com casts an eye over the rich crop of talent to have come through the Illawarra pathways.
WHEN local juniors Kasey Reh and Bronte Wilson take the field to make their NRLW debut against the Titans on Sunday, the Dragons will celebrate a pathway to the top that’s never been clearer.
Having helped the Steelers Under 19s team to grand final glory before starring for New South Wales in the Under 19s State of Origin, Reh and Wilson will cap off a superb year when they run out onto WIN Stadium.
With the young duo part of the 30 per cent of local talent within the Dragons' NRLW squad this year, head coach Jamie Soward said the 18-year-old stars are a perfect example of the nursery that continues to grow and develop at one of the NRLW’s founding clubs.
“There's a clear path and a clear success rate that shows if you come to Steelers or Dragons through our pathways, you are going to have every opportunity to play in the NRLW,” Soward told pan66.com.
Kasey Reh's Player of the Match try
“We've got the right coaches and staff in place to be able to nurture the young talent and with the NRLW Academy which is run by myself, we identify the 14, 15 year-olds coming through so they've got a handle on what it's going to be like at that next level with the NRLW coach.
“We have a strong pathway and myself and Steve Nielsen have worked really hard on bringing the right talent through and building the values and standards around that.
“We feel like we're doing a really good job at the moment with plenty more young talent to come through next year also.”
After Reh and Wilson did their apprenticeship last season as development players, Soward said despite the fairytale beginning of a debut in front of their families at home, the celebrations shouldn’t overshadow the work put in from both the players and the staff around them.
“To get a couple of the Steelers girls in our squad after the success they had this year and to debut this weekend at home is a huge reward for them but we’re not doing it for the feelgood story, they've earned their spot in the side,” he said.
“It's a credit to the individuals in Kasey and Bronte and both those girls have been in and around our development systems and involved in video and training sessions and a leader like Kasey in particular has taken to it like a duck to water.
Bronte Wilson Try
“She's one of the fittest in the club, she's a footy head, loves working hard on her craft and has gotten all the awards like captain of NSW, captain of country because of the hard work and dedication to her craft.
“And Bronte, she's an 18-year-old apprentice carpenter who plays rugby league but through her size and effort has earned her spot.”
Soward also emphasised the importance of investing in experienced leaders and marquee players to help nurture the next generation of local talent progressing through the ranks.
Named on Soward’s bench for Round 1, Reh looks to be a centrepiece for the Dragons after signing a three-year deal earlier in the year and has one of the greatest playmaking talents in the game in Kiwi Ferns captain Raecene McGregor to perfect her trade.
“I have loved working with Raecene, she’s so wise in what she says and the advice she gives,” Reh told pan66.com.
“As soon as you speak to her you can appreciate her experience in the game and she has taken the time to help me in my game.
“I always try ask her as many questions as I can and she always lets me know if I am doing something wrong or if I can do something better.
“We’ve got a really close group of girls at the moment and I’m just looking forward to getting out on the field with them.”
The Telstra Premiership Footy Country Series kicked off in April this year and comprises 10 themed NRL and NRLW games in total, across nine regional locations.
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