Why NRLW gun Keeley Davis has new role as Tarsha Gale coach for Sydney Roosters

She is one of the pioneers of NRLW but now this rugby league talent is playing a hand in the development of her future teammates - and potential rivals.

Mahlie Cashin passes out of dummy half as John Strange and Keeley Davis watch on.

She is one of the pioneers of NRLW but now this footy talent is playing a hand in the development of her future teammates - and potential rivals - and loving it.

Keeley Davis has spent years awing fans of rugby league with her tough-nut attitude and physicality.

Now she’s being impressed by teenagers she hopes will be her future teammates - or rivals.

Davis, who started her career with St George Illawarra before moving to the Sydney Roosters in 2023, is now coaching the Roosters Tarsha Gale side just a few years after playing in the competition herself.

The 24-year-old Australian and NSW representative hooker has also competed for her country in the World Cup and wants to remain playing in the game for “another 10 years’’.

“I came through playing in Tarsha Gale and felt strongly that I had really great guidance, learned some good lessons that set me up for my future and I’m forever grateful for those people involved,’’ said Davis. who will be lining up for the Sydney Roosters in NRLW again this year.

Roosters head of female pathways John Strange and Tarsha Gale Cup coach Keeley Davis.

“I want to impact as well and spread my knowledge.

“I want to help these girls, I want to play with these girls and maybe against them, in the next few years.

“We are relying on these girls to make our future stronger in the game.’’

Born in Wollongong and playing her junior league for the Corrimal Cougars before linking up with the Illawarra Steelers in the Tarsha Gale, Davis was also a member of the Dragons team in the inaugural NRLW women’s premiership back in 2018 as the youngest player in the competition.

Keeley Davis playing Origin for the Blues last year.

The same year the then 18-year-old made her Test debut for Australia with a two point win against New Zealand and was also part of the Sydney Roosters side which won the NRLW premiership last season with their 32-28 thriller with the Cronulla Sharks.

But prior to her seventh NRLW season, Davis was offered and accepted the role of helping train, coach and guide a new generation of young football talent into what she considers a bright future in rugby league.

Davis knows better than most the importance of being able to see what you want to be in the future, having been impressed and motivated when former Jillaroo Ruan Sims visited her school.

The battle-hardened Davis, who famously came home with 10 black eyes to her mother’s concern in her first season of NRLW, wants to impart her knowledge and enjoyment of the game to her young charges in the Sydney Roosters squad.

Keeley Davis playing for the Roosters.

“These girls are amazing,’’ she said.

“We are relying on this younger generation for the sport.

“It’s a career path for me hopefully later on. It’s something I’m really passionate about.’’

Davis said her goal is to impart knowledge, improve her players skills and ensure they enjoy the game.

“Honestly I’m very big on development. I want players to make rep teams and show improvement on last year and enjoy rugby league. I want to set them up for years to come with good values,’’ said Davis who is working under Roosters head of female pathways John Strange

“Of course we’d love to do well and make the grand final but it’s about setting them up as professionals, setting them up for a crack at the NRLW and making sure they are enjoying it. “At the end of the week you enjoy the majority of sessions then that’s good.’’

Davis was appointed coach of Tarsha Gale U19 team late last year with Origin teammate Corbin Baxter the assistant coach and Kiwi forward Otesa Pule Poole the strength and conditioning coach.

Davis said it’s a major step forward to have so many women involved in coaching at the Roosters.

“It used to be jobs for the boys, it’s jobs for the girls and it’s awesome. We really lean on each other,’’ she said.

Davies said she has seen the standard of players come along in leaps and bounds since her first NRLW season.

“They are 20 times faster than when I played and they are just so strong now. It’s just great,’’ she said.

The Sydney Roosters take on Wests Tigers in round one of the Tarsha Gale on February 1.

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Originally published as Why NRLW gun Keeley Davis has new role as Tarsha Gale coach for Sydney Roosters