Despite only forming this year, the Sydney Roosters Women's squad are already having a positive influence in the sport.
The Roosters welcomed members of the NAVY Tridents Women's squad to a recent training session as they continue their preparations for the inaugural season.
NAVY Tridents Coach Neil Stanley said the squad were excited to observe the Roosters women at this historic time in the sport.
"Obviously with the NRL establishing the women's competition, and being local Sydney players, we wanted to come and check out how the Roosters are going with their preparations.
"The NAVY established women's rugby league just over 18 months ago, so we are dedicated to its continued development.
'We wanted to come down and see how the Roosters women train and to show the Tridents that real progress is being made."
Neil believes the launching of the inaugural season will not only spur on the Tridents, but all females interested in the game.
"It just highlights the fact that women want to play the game and should be given the opportunity to play it.
"It's exciting being around the women because of the excitement they have for the game and just the raw talent they possess.
"Our squad play regular football in weekend civilian teams, a lot of the girls come from a touch football background, and there are also a couple of rugby union girls.
"Rugby league has a big voice in the NAVY in general, and it's growing within the women sector."
Neil said it is encouraging to see the pathways opening up for women.
"A couple of our NAVY girls will be attending the talent I.D camps, so it's definitely starting to bridge those pathways.
"It's really exciting.
"Having been involved in NAVY rugby league myself as a player and now as a coach, I wanted to make sure these girls have a platform to play the game."
Tridents Captain Angela Cox believes the timing is perfect to be involved in rugby league.
"I've grown up watching footy but was never allowed to play, so for us it's just an opportunity to showcase what we as women have to offer the game."
"Especially coming from the Defence Force, our Command and our Superiors push us to be the best we can be, and I feel that football is just one aspect of it."
Angela said it's helpful to see clear goals being established for women in the game.
"We want to push it as far as we can go, and if that means making the NRL or developing a really strong Defence team, we will do whatever it takes.
"It's very encouraging to see what the NRL have done, and to see the sacrifice the girls have made to play footy."
Angela wished to encourage other females to consider playing the sport she loves.
"It's the freedom you get from football, you're able to create something on the field and piece something together like a puzzle.
"When you get a team together and you all have that one aim and one goal, it's really awesome when you set out to achieve it.
"It's a historic time, so I think it's amazing that Clubs such as the Roosters want to champion it, it's really cool and encouraging."
Angela said there are many ways for females to get involved at this pivotal time in rugby league.
"The pathways are opening up, even if you don't want to actually play the game, there's paths into management, coaching and being a trainer.
"The game itself has so many branches, you don't necessarily have to be on the field to make a big difference."
