The surging pathways program behind the Canterbury Bulldogs’ NRLW bid

Canterbury-Bankstown is just one win away from a spot in the Tarsha Gale Cup grand final, but it’s just another step in the Bulldogs’ quest to join the NRLW in 2025. Here’s why.

NSW Rugby League junior reps, Tarsha Gale Cup 2023

LAST season the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs had a season to forget in the women’s Tarsha Gale Cup.

Now a year later, the under-19s team are unbeaten at the top of the table and just one win away from a spot in the grand final.

With a host of Kiwi imports such as prodigious backrowers Tatiana Finau and Noaria Kapua leading the charge, the powerhouse Bulldogs are expected to overwhelm Illawarra when the sides face-off in Saturday’s grand final qualifier at Leichhardt Oval.

For 90s Bulldogs cult-figure Barry Ward, the rapidly changing fortunes are another step closer towards the club’s ultimate goal of winning a place in the NRLW.

Now general manager of female pathways and junior league, Ward is the driving force behind expanding the women’s game at Canterbury.

“With the NRLW likely to expand in 2025, we not only want to gain entry, we want to field a competitive side,” said Ward.

Noaria Kapua reaches out to score for Canterbury in the Tarsha Gale Cup. Picture: Thomas Lisson

And with Bulldogs set to open the country’s first NRL gender-equal high performance centre in 2025, there’s no time to waste.

“The club has set up a partnership with the Vari Group and is dedicated to improving female representation and development, as well as providing more pathway and employment opportunities for females in the game,” said Ward.

“The program includes a scholarship program for talented and up and coming female individuals from throughout NSW, QLD and New Zealand.”

On the park, alongside the finals bound Harvey Norman women’s side, the program couldn’t be going any better

“We are happy, but humble too,” said a proud Ward.

“But that’s the standard we want, we’re currently working hard with our depth charts to strengthen our Lisa Fiaola (U15s) and Tarsha Gale squads.

“We’re not all about winning premierships, but we want to build a good breed of competitive players that like to win. In preparation for next season, we have identified another seven girls from New Zealand who are set to arrive in July and play for the club in 2024.”

For a closer look at the rising talent at Ward’s disposal, get down to Leichhardt Oval at 10am on Saturday. Tatiana Finau in the No. 12 jumper is unlikely to disappoint. With size and fancy footwork, the 19-year-old is a Tarsha Gale Cup stand out.