League legend Steph Hancock joins Clydesdales BMD squad

The Western Clydesdales have pulled off another major signing coup with an Australian, Origin and NRLW star set to play in the Garden City. Meet our newest BMD Premiership player here.

Steph Hancock in action during the Women's State of Origin game between New South Wales and Queensland. Hancock will line up for Western Clydesdales in the BMD Premiership this season. Picture: Adam Head

The Western Clydesdales have announced another massive signing ahead of their inaugural BMD Premiership season with rugby league legend Steph Hancock joining the side.

Hailing from the Southern Downs, Hancock is a local star who brings unrivalled experience to the team.

The superstar prop made her debut for Australia in 2003 and was a member of the Queensland Maroons side for more than 15 years.

She also brings NRLW premiership experience, winning back-to-back titles with the Broncos in 2018 and 2019.

Clydesdales coach Mitch Sargent was beyond excited to bring Hancock to the Garden City.

“She is someone we wanted from the first time we got announced as a BMD team, we wanted to make room for her if she wanted to play for us,” he said.

“She has been a driving force of women’s rugby league for a long time and hailing from our region, she has inspired so many players and for her to be a part of the inaugural team back where it all started, it means a lot.

Gold Coast Titans star Steph Hancock will feature for the Western Clydesdales this year. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“We made the announcement at training on Wednesday night and our under-19s were a part of that announcement and to see the faces of our younger players, they were bouncing with joy.”

With several other NRLW stars in various areas of the pitch, the Clydesdales boast a strong side across the board.

“Our region should be really proud to see our girls run out for the first time on March 9, we have a really balanced squad,” Sargent.

“We are looking really strong for this year and years to come, it will be an everlasting legacy.”

For Clydesdales CEO Shane Sullivan, the signing is an amazing boost for the club.

“It’s an amazing signing for us, she is from this region and it is fantastic that she is able to give back to the Western Clydesdales at this time in her career,” he said.

“It is very exciting for the club and the future of the club to have someone like her want to come and play with us, it shows we are on the right track when it comes to building as a club.”

With the countless NRLW stars lining up for various BMD premiership teams, Sullivan is hopeful for a strong turnout from Toowoomba faithful to support women’s rugby league.

“The big names are not just in our team as well, they are right across the BMD Premiership, it is going to be a really strong competition,” he said.