Dragons NRLW Academy /

The Dragons Elite Academy is a targeted, high-performance development program for outstanding female athletes who are on a path towards a career in rugby league. The Academy bridges the gap between junior representative football and the NRLW stage ensuring that when players make the leap up, they’re not just ready – they’re exceptional.

The women’s game is growing rapidly, and the Dragons are investing early to ensure our emerging talent are not just participating but thriving at the elite level.

The Academy exists to:

• Develop future Dragons players the right way
• Protect and support young female athletes as they transition into high-performance environments
• Build a sustainable NRLW program driven by local and loyal talent
• Lead the standard for elite development pathways in the NRLW landscape

Athletes selected into the Academy receive:

• Weekly skill and conditioning sessions with NRLW coaches and performance staff
• Access to elite facilities, technology, and medical support
• Education modules covering nutrition, wellbeing, leadership and game intelligence
• Opportunities to train with and shadow NRLW squad members
• Individual development plans tailored to playing position and long-term goals
• A direct pathway to NRLW contracts

It’s not just a program – it’s a launching pad.

The Academy prioritises quality over quantity by offering an intensive, purpose-built program designed to be manageable for athletes still in school, work, or junior representative level football.

There is a focus on supporting, balancing, and encouraging open communication to ensure athletes are managing all areas of life effectively.

Players who complete the Academy program will:

• Have a professional-level foundation across physical, technical, tactical and mental aspects of the game
• Be first in line for NRLW development or Top 24 contracts
• Be game-ready, injury-resilient, and tactically sharp
• Understand the expectations and standards of the Dragons NRLW program before they arrive
• Grow in leadership, professionalism, and self-confidence

The goal isn’t just to create players but to build future leaders of our club.

The Dragons Elite Academy is the best program available for developing players thanks to its direct alignment with the Dragons NRLW program, history as a proven NRLW pathway, culture-first approach and access to professional-level facilities.