The Dragons are pleased to announce that local juniors Ella Churchill and Chelsea Savill have inked development contracts for the 2026 NRLW season.
Churchill’s deal will also see her progress up to the club’s Top 24 squad for the 2027 season.
A Kiama Knights product, Churchill has progressed through the club’s pathways pipeline having earlier this year captained Illawarra’s Lisa Fiaola Cup outfit.
A talented outside back, Churchill represented the NSW Country Under 17s team in May before making a try-scoring Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership debut for the Steelers in August.
Savill meanwhile returns to the club having spent the past two seasons with the Wests Tigers making nine NRLW appearances.
The 20-year-old spent her junior days with the Western Suburbs Red Devils and progressed through the club’s pathways system with Illawarra winning a Tarsha Gale Cup Grand Final and representing the Blues in Under 19s State of Origin in 2024.
“We’re stoked to have Ella and Chelsea as a part of our squad,” Head Coach Nathan Cross said.
“We’re really committed to developing players from our own backyard and having a strong presence in our region. Ella has earnt this opportunity through the hard work she has put in throughout her journey with the Steelers as well as our Academy. She’s very talented and has the attitude to go with it, so we can’t wait to welcome her into our NRLW squad.
“Bringing Chelsea back to the club is really exciting. Everyone who has worked with her in the past speaks so highly of her as both a player and person. She’s still only 20 but has proven that she is an NRLW-quality player. We look forward to having her back here.”
