Northern Pride CEO Garreth Smith speaks ahead of season launch for inaugural BMD Premiership campaign in QRL

They may be the new kids on the block, but Northern Pride won’t be there to make up the numbers in their inaugural BMD Premiership season. Find out why Pride’s CEO is backing his group

The Northern Pride have unveiled their new playing strip for the club's first women's premiership team, before the start of their maiden QRL premiership season. Northern Pride women's players Paige Schouw, Nadia Windleborn, Brandy Yallop and Rachel Abednego in the team's striking white and teal playing kit ahead of their first premiership match. Picture: Brendan Radke

Northern Pride might be the new kids on the block in the 2025 BMD Premiership season, but if you ask their CEO that’s no reason to count them out.

Speaking in the lead up to Friday evening’s season launch, Garreth Smith said while they need to be “realistic” there’s no reason why they can’t be among the contenders in their inaugural season.

“We need to be realistic about where we’re at. This our first year in and there will be some unknowns,” Smith said.

“Make no mistake, the expectation is that we want to play finals. We didn’t get dressed up for nothing.

“We expect to win, and if we don’t then teams will walk away knowing they’ve played us at the very least.”

Northern Pride CEO Garreth Smith. Picture Emily Barker.

His comments come as the club marks a momentous day in its history, as it will field a senior women’s team in Queensland Rugby League for the first time in its history.

“The season launch is a really important part of the journey, in that we recognise all the work that’s been done to date.
“It’s a chance to stop, reflect and celebrate the fact that we’re ready to kick off.

“It’s been a long three years of planning since I’ve been here to get to this point.

“The amount of work and milestones we’ve had to tick off, the pay off is this event.”

Smith said the strength of the local Far North Queensland Rugby League women’s competition had been a key indicator that the Far North was ready for an elite women’s team.

Northern Pride BMD Premiership player Elianna Suluvale at pre-season training. Picture: Northern Pride

“We knew we had the talent, even though not all of it was based here,” he said.

“Having a strong local competition that was based here was really important for us as well.

“The challenge for us was wanting to maintain the participation at the local level across seniors and juniors.

“We didn’t want to be draining the talent out of the local competition in order to put this side on the park.

“Likewise you need the depth to maintain this side when there’s injuries or turnover.”

Smith revealed that securing key sponsors and partnerships had enabled them to fulfill this dream, as he said they didn’t want to produce a half-baked product or just tick a box.

“Having the resources was important to be able to spend the right amount of time on it that it deserves,” he said.

“We’ve been fortunate enough to have some great partners who have done a lot of work with us in the financial space.

“Having (head coach) Colin Wilkie on full time has allowed us to be having the right conversations during business hours which has kept us on the right pathway.

Northern Pride BMD Premiership coach Colin Wilkie with his team during their Army Weekend in the 2025 pre-season. Picture: Northern Pride.

“We wanted to make sure we did it properly, and this was a part of us being able to do that.”

Smith said young women and girls who are on the pathway to the elite level should rest easy knowing the opportunities are there for them if they want to pursue a future in rugby league while staying local.

“The talent that we’ve brought back from elsewhere that had to leave, that’s super important,” he said.

“I’m extremely proud of the local talent we’ve managed to bring in to the side.

“It should give current and future members of this side confidence in his focus and desire to get the most out of this team.

“We’re already seeing the result of the relationship with North Queensland Cowboys.

“Colin being full-time means he’s having full-time conversations with Ricky (Henry, Cowboys NRLW coach).

“We’re seeing more and more girls locking in those NRLW development contracts, and then they’re not leaving town.

“They can see a future here now, there’s that direct link to the NRLW.”

In a statement, Cairns mayor Amy Eden said the Pride’s inaugural season marks “a significant moment for (the) city, region, and most importantly, for the future of women’s sport.”

“It goes hand in hand with Councl’s vision to position Cairns as Australia’s leading destination for women’s sport.

“Having a women’s team in a statewide competition a launchpad for the dreams of our young athletes.

“Women in sport haven’t always had the same access to resources, facilities, or spotlight, but that’s changing, and Northern Pride is stepping up to say: “Women’s sport matters.”

“The Cowboys’ men’s team has long drawn more talent from this region, more than Townsville, and the women’s game can do the same.

“We have the talent, we have the facilities, and now we have the pathway.”

Northern Pride’s first ever senior women’s fixture will see them travel to take on Brisbane Tigers on June 14.

Originally published as Northern Pride CEO Garreth Smith speaks ahead of season launch for inaugural BMD Premiership campaign in QRL