The St George Illawarra Dragons can confirm that the club will compete in the NSW Women’s Premiership from the 2027 season onwards.
Previously represented in the competition by the St George Dragons and Illawarra Steelers, the unification of the teams marks a key milestone in the club’s continued commitment to the development of female pathways.
It will allow players to transition seamlessly between the NRLW and NSW Women’s Premiership squads whilst also offering an opportunity to streamline the club’s coaching and support staffs.
The club’s Director of Female Football Sammy Bremner says that the decision came with player development at the front of mind as the women’s game continues to go from strength to strength.
“We are really excited to be competing as one club in the NSW Women’s Premiership from next season onwards,” Bremner said.
“With the development of the women’s game over the past couple of years, we felt as though the time was right to bring our senior pathways teams under the one roof. We appreciate the collaboration and cooperation that both the St George Dragons and Illawarra Steelers have shown throughout this process.
“This decision is an investment in our pathways structure and the development of the next generation of Dragons. We are a proud development club and our restructured NSW Women’s Premiership team showcases this.”
St George District Rugby League Football Club’s General Manager Michael McDonald echoed Bremner’s sentiments describing the unification as an “important step”.
“Developing the next generation of female players has been a strategic priority for St George DRLFC for many years, and we welcome this important step in strengthening the Dragons female pathway,” McDonald said.
“We are proud to continue working alongside the Dragons to provide clear opportunities for our players to progress from our junior representative programs to the Red V at NSW Women's Premiership level and ultimately the NRLW.”
Illawarra District Rugby League’s Head of Football Carlo Napolitano says that he is proud of the role that the Steelers have played in the development of women’s rugby league and that they are excited to continue their commitment to the next generation of female rugby league players.
“The Illawarra Steelers are incredibly proud of the legacy established by our Women’s Premiership program which has reached the finals in every season since entering the competition in 2023 and claimed the premiership in 2024,” Napolitano said.
“In 2027, the St George Illawarra Dragons will assume responsibility for the senior Women's Premiership team under the pathway towards the NRLW. The Illawarra Steelers are committed to continued development of the next generation of female talent. This remains stronger than ever.
“The Steelers will continue to work closely with the Dragons staff through our highly successful junior female pathways program in the Lisa Fiaola Cup and Tarsha Gale Cup – squads that have produced many of the current Dragons players playing in the NRLW.”
