NRL NSW Schoolgirls Cup: Matraville SHS v Illawarra SHS, Erindale College v Hunter SHS

While under no illusions of the long road ahead, Illawarra Sports High School is confident a return to the NRL NSW Schoolgirls Cup is the first step to success. Watch round 1 LIVE.

While he admits they are “not quite ready”, Illawarra Sports High School’s Mark Andrews is confident his side have the building blocks in place to be serious NRL NSW Schoolgirls Cup contenders in the years to come.

Andrews heads up Illawarra’s rugby league program and is working closely with a girls coaching staff that includes St George Illawarra Dragons NRLW star Keele Browne.

Returning to the Schoolgirls Cup in 2025, Illawarra will face a tough challenge against fellow returning outfit Matraville when the competition kicks off with a triple-header of games on Wednesday, available live and exclusive on KommunityTV from 10.30am.

The action continues at 11.45am with the Central Coast Sports College v Westfields SHS before Erindale College and Hunter SHS wraps up the day from 1pm.

While Andrews admits kicking off their season with an early win would be great, he knows it’s much more a longer-term focus for the program.

NRLW player Keele Browne is coaching Illawarra’s Schoolgirls Cup side in 2025. Photo: Denis Ivaneza

“I took over the program about five or six months ago and we were in a pretty dark spot to be honest,” Andrews said.

“We did a review and we looked at the areas we had to fix and in terms of the girls program we are probably a few years away from really being where we want to be.

“We are getting the best kids in now to really develop and build and having Keele come on board has been fantastic. She does a great job with them.

“We have all the right people in place and hopefully in the next couple of years we get there.”

Despite the challenges ahead, Andrews said the group was looking forward to the season and said returning to the schoolgirls cup was already a huge win in itself.

“They are all excited,” he said.

“We have a couple of new girls and they will help us be nice and competitive and in the initial stages we are just looking to show some pride and build our culture up then we will be happy.

Illawarra Sports High School's Michala Hardy, Laila Poto, Manama-Jen Tukere (MJ), Madison Hemopo and LJ Latu ahead will all feature in the NRL NSW Schoolgirls Cup competition in 2025. Picture: Supplied.

“It’s not going to happen overnight but as long as the girls compete really hard and represent the jersey with some respect and show good qualities and character on the field then we know we are on the right path.

“It’s really important (to be back). The girl’s game is really growing and historically we are a strong region down in the Illawarra so we should be striving to represent our school well.

“Once your junior reps finishes, it’s definitely the highest standard of rugby league out there so we want to be out there competing against the best boys and girls in the state.”

Originally published as NRL NSW Schoolgirls Cup: Matraville SHS v Illawarra SHS, Erindale College v Hunter SHS