Tweed Heads Seagulls sign CJ Sims for their inaugural women’s rugby league team

Tweed Heads have turned to a renowned rugby league family to land the first marquee signing for their all-new women’s team.

CJ Sims (right) with her sister Ruan. Picture: Mark Cranitch

TWEED Heads have turned to a renowned rugby league family to land the first marquee signing for their all-new women’s team.

The Seagulls have announced the recruitment of former Australian Gridiron player Canecia ‘CJ’ Sims, who is the sister of Jillaroos star Ruan and representative men’s forwards Tariq, Korbin and Ashton.

Tweed’s appointment of Kiwi Ferns coach Kelvin Wright in October to spearhead their women’s program made Sims “stand up and pay attention to what they were trying to build down there.”

The 30-year-old also cited excitement around the opportunity to develop a healthy culture at the Piggabeen club.

“I am absolutely stoked to be part of this incredible club and the first women’s team in Tweed,” said Sims, a front-rower who played for Ipswich Brothers last year and had multiple clubs in the South East Queensland competition interested in her signature.

CJ Sims (left) during her time with the Gold Coast Stingrays gridiron team. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“When I heard that Seagulls had signed Kelvin Wright and had teamed up with an organisation like the Gold Coast Airport, I knew that I wanted to be part of what they are creating.

“I’d like to put a shout out to all current and aspiring women’s players to come and join us because I think we are going to build something amazing here under Kelvin’s leadership.”

Wright was delighted to have Sims on-board and noted further signings are imminent.

“CJ will bring great character and work ethic with a determination to be her best – exactly the values we are looking for in players – and she will help to inspire and develop younger players,” he said.

Before her five-year gridiron stint that ended in 2017, Sims’ sporting endeavours had included rugby union, volleyball and basketball – but never league.

“I had only watched my brothers play league growing up,” she said.

An asset manager for AccorHotels, Sims is hoping to make up for lost time in the 13-a-side code though and is targeting NRLW and State of Origin berths after scoring a central top 40 deal last year.