Caitlin Moran maintains getting more exposure of women’s rugby league has been talked about for quite a while, but 2017 is the year it’s shaping up.
The nib Newcastle Knights are backing an inaugural Knights women’s team who will play in an exhibition match against the women’s Cronulla Sharks side following the NRL fixture this weekend.
“With female sports growing outside of the rugby league code, it’s now good rugby league is catching up and pushing forward for women in sport,” said the current Jillaroo.
“It still has a long way to go and it should have happened a few years ago, so we’re a bit behind the ball, but it will get bigger and better with the support of the NRL.”
The Novocastrian believes the opportunity to play in the first ever exhibition match for the red and blue is a reward for their dedication.
“We’ve been training since November last year and the dedication so it’s good to get something back and have the Knights behind us,” Moran explained.
“Even with supporting uniforms and having the training here, it really gives back for all the hard work that we do.”
Moran said she can’t wait to come up alongside some of her current Jillaroos team mates.
“I do know a few of the girls and I play with a lot of them,” she added.
“With the likes of (Allana) Ferguson and Maddison Studdon, so I know a fair few of them and they’re really good players and I love them to bits.
“It will be interesting to see how our team go out there because we do have a lot of talent.
“We have a lot of under-rated players in our team that no one really knows about so to finally put them on the field, hopefully we get the win.”
Adamant it will be their defence skills that will get the Knights side across the line.
“Definitely win it, in defence,” commented Moran.
“If we keep to our game plan, not going off track too much, then we just have to tackle.
“We know what we have to do with the ball so if we just make our one on one tackles and back each other up we should be fine.”
The Knights ladies take on the Sharks after the NRL fixture at Southern Cross Group Stadium, kick-off is at 5.15pm.
