NRLW 2024 signing news: Bulldogs poach Roosters coach Blake Cavallaro
Canterbury have made their first signing as an NRLW team, poaching a respected Roosters figure as the club’s new head coach and head of female pathways.
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Canterbury have made their first signing as an NRLW team, landing respected Roosters figure Blake Cavallaro as the club’s head coach and head of female pathways.
It’s a huge first step for the Bulldogs, who will join the NRLW competition along with the Warriors in 2025.
Cavallaro has spent 12 years with the Roosters, most recently as head of male and female pathways, as well as leading the Tarsha Gale Cup team to back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023.
He also coached the NSW under-19s team to wins in 2021 and 2022.
“With this, our first venture into the NRLW, it was imperative we sourced an experienced, well-respected person to manage and coach our Women’s program,” said general manager of football, Phil Gould.
“Blake Cavallaro ticked all the boxes in this regard, and we are delighted that he has joined the Bulldogs.”
The NRLW head coaching job kicks off on November 1 of this year, but Cavallaro will start immediately within the Bulldogs pathways system as well as the development of players through the NSW Harvey Norman competition which kicks off later this year.
Along with Adam Hartigan and Gould, the trio will build an NRLW roster for 2025.
“When I sat down with Gus and Adam Hartigan and learned the vision that they wanted to achieve, I knew that it was something that I wanted to be a part of. One of the biggest things we spoke about was inclusion and the combining of the male and female programs,” he said.
“I am really looking forward to working with Cameron Ciraldo on aligning our programs and learning more about the rich history here at the Bulldogs. There is a big history, nearly 90 years, and now females get to be a part of that history and create their own legacy. It’s going to be pretty special and unique.
“I just can’t wait for Round 1 and to see how the girls pull on the Bulldogs jersey and wear it with pride.
I’m thrilled and looking forward to this next chapter.”
Originally published as NRLW 2024 signing news: Bulldogs poach Roosters coach Blake Cavallaro
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