NRLW and Australian U18 Schoolgirls rep Charlotte Basham riding confidence wave with Illawarra Steelers

Within a week of turning 18, Charlotte Basham made her NRLW debut and represented the Australian U18 Schoolgirls side. She’s now back in Tarsha Gale eyeing bigger things in 2024.

Australian U18 Schoolgirls rep Charlotte Basham of the Illawarra Steelers. Picture: Kevin Merrigan

The Illawarra Steelers are proving to be the real deal in the 2024 Tarsha Gale Cup.

They boast four wins from four games, a booming points difference of +136 and are sitting pretty in second place, only behind the Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy.

It’s easy to see why as well, when you consider the squad boast four 2023 U18s Schoolgirls reps, plus two players with NRLW caps.

The one player with both these accolades to her name is formidable backrower Charlotte Basham.

Basham has been bashing down any attacker who runs her way this season, praised for her workrates, line running and defensive reliability.

Charlotte Basham of the Illawarra Steelers. Picture: Kevin Merrigan

And it’s easy to see where her confidence on the park has come from when you look at her 2023 resume.

On January 9, 2023, 18-year-old Basham made her NRLW debut for Jamie Soward’s St George Illawarra Dragons, coming off the bench at Netstrata Stadium against the Brisbane Broncos.

“It all happened really quick,” Basham said.

“I was lucky enough to get a development contract … I started off just training with them, then a couple of injuries happened, so he (Jamie Soward) asked me ‘are you ready to play in a week?’.

“It was on my birthday when I got told actually, because you have to be 18 to play.”

Basham says the experience of training and playing under Soward was challenging but rewarding.

“He’s probably helped me to where I am today, I wouldn’t be half the player I am without him,” Basham said

“He’s obviously very hard on me, but that’s what you need to become a good player … I love the way he coaches.”

And with next no time to revel in her debut, Basham was off on a plane to Papua New Guinea a week later to represent Australia in the U18s Schoolgirls side, alongside current Steelers teammates Indie Bostock, Kasey Reh and Evie McGrath. Quite the birthday week.

“It was probably one of the best experiences ever, the team I was in was great,” Basham said.

Illawarra representatives in the 2023 Australian U18s Schoolgirls squad: (L-R) Caley Tallon-Henniker, Evie McGrath, Kasey Reh, Indie Bostock, Charlotte Basham

“Just seeing how life is over there and getting the versus them in Papua New Guinea, seeing how much it means to people was a great experience.”

It’s been a wild journey for Basham since kicking off her footy career with the Corrimal Cougars at age 14.

She got her first taste of representative footy with the Lisa Fiaola Gala Day squad in 2022, before moving onto Tarsha Gale in 2023.

Now she’s a key player in the all-star 2024 squad, highlighting how the side feels more in-sync that ever before.

“Our team has come together very well. I think Courtney (Crawford) has really stepped up this year and pulled us into line,” Basham said.

Kasey Reh (back) and Charlotte Basham (with ball) have created quite the threat down the right flank in 2024. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

“Playing alongside Kasey (Reh) as my half and Indie (Bostock) as my centre, it’s really helped me, I wouldn’t be able to play my best without them.

“Getting to play with them at Schoolgirls, and then coming back to Steelers, we’re in probably our best form right now.

“We’ve all come together as a team this year, it helps you play good footy when you trust the people around you, when you know they’ve got your back … it’s showing in the results in the last four weeks.”

Basham bashing through defenders. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

Coach Crawford is quick to return the praise for her star backrower, having recognised her growth since first joining the team.

“She’s one of the hardest worker in the team, she’s definitely learned a lot over the past two years,” Crawford said.

“The combinations she’s built on the right edge with Kasey have been great … she’s a strong ball carrier, defensively as well she keeps it nice and tight on the edge.

“She’s come along leaps and bounds … she’s definitely got the right mindset, she’s just got to keep working hard and the rest will take care of itself.”

And while she has her eyes on a future in the NRLW, for now Basham is committed to steering the Steelers towards a Tarsha Gale grand final.

“The goal is to finish off strong here with Tarsha Gale, this is my last year with the club, so hopefully make a grand final,” Basham said.

“Then just continue going forward with my footy, hopefully with NRLW.”

Basham and her Illawarra Steelers girls face their biggest test in round five against the league leaders Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy, 12pm March 2 at Sid Parrish Park.