Pamela Whaley: The taboo issue keeping women out of NRLW coaching jobs

Three NRLW jobs came up over the off-season, but for the women trying to land a head coaching gig it’s left them trapped on a merry-go-round with nowhere, writes PAMELA WHALEY.

There’s a glaring issue in rugby league that no one wants to talk about.

It makes men uncomfortable and it makes women anxious.

But just how on earth is a woman supposed to land a head coaching gig?

Over the off-season, three NRLW coaching jobs became available, at Newcastle, Parramatta and North Queensland, and in all three cases capable, interested and experienced men were hired.

Not for a second is it suggested that any of these men are inappropriate for the job, nor undeserving.

In each case they offer something new to the squads, including experience in the men’s game and an understanding of professionalism.

That’s not the point.

The issue is how does a female coach go about getting the experience needed to land these roles, when they’re dismissed based on a lack of experience?

It’s a catch 22.

In all three cases qualified, respected women applied for the jobs but were ultimately overlooked.

Titans coach Karyn Murphy and maroons coach Tahnee Norris.

And for the aspiring coaches trapped in the system it’s a hard spot to be in.

If they speak up about it, they risk being branded a whingeing woman, which is a stigma that can follow you around the game and stand in the way of future opportunities.

But the alternative is to let the status quo continue, which has historically worked against them. And certainly is as of now.

In reality, things that count against female coaches seem to be overlooked for their male counterparts.

There’s even a suggestion one burgeoning female coach was overlooked because her personality is divisive, which has never been a knock against Des Hasler, Ricky Stuart or Wayne Bennett.

It’s a frustrating cycle to be stuck in, where the women feel as though they’re running on a treadmill and getting nowhere, while being overtaken by others who seem to do it easy.

NSW Blues coach Kylie Hilder with Millie Elliott and Kezie Apps. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Across 10 NRLW clubs there is just one female coach in Karyn Murphy, who happens to be one of the most respected figures in the women’s game.

But even then, with her decades of knowledge and practical application of her skills, it took years for her to be given an opportunity at the Titans.

She’s adored by her players, and led a young group of local juniors and top recruits to an unexpected grand final last season.

The Titans are proud to have the only female coach in the game, but at some stage it’s going to look strange if no other club is willing to take a chance.

Someone, aside from the Titans, needs to take a leap of faith for things to change.

There’s plenty of talented female NRLW assistant coaches in the game, as well as Origin coaches Tahnee Norris and Kylie Hilder, both of whom want a head coaching gig in club land.

But for all of the ground-breaking opportunities NRLW presents for women and girls in the game, this is the one area that feels like it’s going backwards.

Originally published as Pamela Whaley: The taboo issue keeping women out of NRLW coaching jobs