The Illawarra League is all but certain to feature just six teams in the top grade this year, with foundation club Helensburgh forced to withdraw from the top flight for the second time in three seasons. South . We acknowledge the stories . Ben Hunt Preparations are well underway for the Steelers anticipated entry with the appointment of Tarsha Gale Cup coach Alicia-Kate Hawke as the inaugural coach of the Women's side and current NSW State of Origin and St George Illawarra NRLW Dragons player Keeley Davis as Club Captain. 2022 NSWCHS reps teams selected, 2022 NSWCHS Under 18 Rugby League team, 2022 NSWCHS Under 15 Rugby League team. He is also maintaining his innocence.. 2/25/2023 1:48:39 AM, Last updated: Junior Rep Training Squads Named. These included former Illawarra Women's Rugby League players Kezie Apps (Helensburgh Tigers) and Jessica Sergis (Helensburgh Tigers). Clubs or teams that participated in two or more seasons are listed below. Coming in 2020 Junior Girls Tackle Comp (U/13-U/15) If you're interested in playing tackle next year make sure you get in contact with your local club listed below or alternatively send us a message to our page. Samoa have also named a team filled with NRL talent for their clash with Cook Islands. [1] The area provides a nursery of juniors for the Illawarra Steelers and St George Illawarra Dragons. "We haven't finished working with NSW [Rugby League] for this year but, at this late stage, we're looking more at next year and what we can do to build for 2024.". Media Release: 11 August 2022 (Embargo until 4pm AEST), Illawarra Steelers bid for inclusion in Harvey Norman Womens Premiership. Our six junior representative squads for season 2021 are as followed: Cory AckersMatthew Alhazim Hussein Anani Ethan Arena Lachie BirdJack BraithwaiteMax CheethamBronson Emery Tyrell FakauaManase Feiloakitau Joel Fry Flynn Gannon Robert Haase Shadi HammoudGodfrey Ilavalu Jared KennedyDenzil Moeke Araz NanvaKobey O'Brien Braxton O'Halloran Elijah Porter Nicholas Quinn Kye RobsonDannie SamaniSetefano Sele Reilly TasaicoOliver TownsendNicholas Tsougranis, Viliami AmoneEthan CliffKynan CloughRiley CostelloDylan EganRoy FenukitauTaj FordKane GrahamTe Umuariki Heremia-TukereKyan HjaltasonNeason Jha-LangleyJaxon LavenderCallum LeikvollJahream JC Lole NgarimaZakariya MaarbaniPaul MahanidisWesley PringJack QuineBryden RutledgeJasper ScobieKristian SekulijicaBalunn SimonHamish StewartPalu TausalaSean TrindallJames WalshAshton Ward, Johnathon AfeakiAdam ArkleyJohnathon DelinicolisAli HammoudBen JohnsonMoussa KablanBailey LanhamDontoray LuiCallum McDonaldIsaac MorrisDaniel MusolinoCaleb NavaleTerrence PatoloCallum PerrymanTom PikethleyMitchell ReeveMackenzie RocheAdam RunchelJayden SamraniRuamanomarua StokesElijuwhon SuavaiEpeli SukanaivaluPatrick TaukafaBurt TukalaTaine WoodfordLachlan WoodgerNikau WrathallJacob Young, Dilan AsanoskiTrey BarlowTravis Barrett-HancockJack BostockClive BrettSyddarys CassidyTyson DuffTrent GriffithsBen LavenderAlex LobbBryce MagnoneViliame MaheDeclan Manago Brandon MorkosJack OwensToby PetersTom PhillipsCooper RobertsJackson SherebCooper TunbridgePhoenix Vetenibua-FinnertyJacob WebsterBlake WellingtonRiley Wooden, Courageous AfoaFaith AinuuTyla AmiatuRosemarie BeckettNesia BenRayven-Jodeci BoyceReuben CherringtonBreeze E'ELimiah EnokaRyshe FaamausiliGardinia FaalogoFatafeh HanisiChelsea-Lina KoomsonJo-anna MatavesiMaleah MayolMaurice NafoiFaith NimmoKatrina RaravulaErana RetiLahtia SioneEmily SmidtPeninaotiafau SolofaSelenna Tamasailau FuimaonoBienne TeritaGrace TijouStella TijouCassey Tohi-HikuLuisa Yaranamamua, Sian AllenTeagan BerryMollie BonhamAlivia BrownKeele BrowneJemma GallagherTiana GrahamKeeley KoparaTiana KoreMackenzie LearShante Lenartowicz Annabel McDonaldChecoby MurraySalma NourJordyn PrestonLily RoganRiley ScottMadysson ShoemarkMadi SingletonApril StevensRose Lina TafengatotoUla-mari Time-CribbChantel TugagaOlivia ValeAlex Wallace, All the fun from our Kogarah member event. Under 18s Player of the Carnival : Tyrone Monro - Endeavour Sports High School with MR. Kevin Stacey NSWCHS (Photo : Steve . 9. It's understood Cronulla Caringbah, a late inclusion to the competition ahead of last season, also won't return, reducing one of the NSW Rugby League's 'Major Competitions' to just six teams. Quincy Dodd (St George Illawarra Dragons)15. The Central Coast Roosters side to take on the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in Round 4 is as follows: Last updated: 2/27/2023 1:04:14 PM. [2][3] Immortals Graeme Langlands and Bob Fulton featured at fullback and five-eighth respectively, as well as Harry Wells at centre. Our news app has had a makeover, making it faster and giving you access to even more great content. The action gets underway from 11am, with all three games at Wyong's Morry Breen Oval. - Update and collate documents and records regarding policies and practices. The Sydney Morning Heraldreported on Thursday morning that the five-eighth is seeking immediate reinstatement, which would put him back in the frame for selection in Round 2 against the Titans. "Group 10 and Group 11 still play their own rounds against their traditional teams, but they also play a crossover round as well as a crossover finals series," Trodden said. His lawyerElias Tabchouri told theHeraldthat he will be seeking clarification from the NRL regarding Amone's status. The league features many former and current NRL players and also National Youth Competition players. Staggs will slot in at five-eighth for Tonga alongside Dragons young gun Junior Amone in the halves. "Jason [Raper] did a great job for us, the committee loved him, the players loved him, our sponsors and supporters loved him, but his focus and priorities right now are with his young family and we fully support that. Sarah Togatuki (Sydney Roosters)16. You must provide an email address to create a Roar account, When using Facebook to create or log in to an account, you need to grant The Roar permission to see your email address, By joining The Roar you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. The Central Coast Roosters side to take on the North Coast Bulldogs in Round 4 is as follows: Last updated: 13. The season is contested by seven teams and concludes with a finals series involving the top four teams. St George Illawarra are reportedly pushing for young gun Talatau Junior Amone to be reinstated by the NRL, with his ongoing legal battle taking a turn prior to the season. If youre after great odds on every NRL match try signing up for PlayUp. Read more: Illawarra League reduced to six as Helensburgh, Cronulla Caringbah withdraw. Yasmin Clydsdale (Sydney Roosters)3. 1. Moses Suli The Illawarra Rugby League is a rugby league competition in Wollongong, NSW. Source: [1] As of 3 September 2022. "We've been trying since October last year to get a [new] head coach in place and we've been unsuccessful up until two weeks ago when the club decided not to go ahead and pursue a coach and players for a Mojo Homes [Cup] team.". promoting rugby league and assisting with uniforms and other equipment for school teams. - Provide Project and Operational Support. Azariah Toki-Mautairi - Otahuhu Leopards. "Our view since the merger of the NSW Rugby League and Country Rugby League has always been about designing sustainable competitions which are not necessarily restrained by geographic boundaries. 3. Teagan Berry (St George Illawarra Dragons)20. The basis of a really strong competition remains. Play NRL. St George Illawarra have the bye in Round 1, before taking on the Gold Coast on Sunday, March 12th. 16. Davis was a vital member of the first-ever Illawarra Steelers' Tarsha Gale Cup team in 2017, awarded Player of the Year, and captained the side in 2018 before making her debut for the Dragons. You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content, Fullback for Indigenous Academy is number 1, Winger for Indigenous Academy is number 2, Centre for Indigenous Academy is number 3, Centre for Indigenous Academy is number 4, Winger for Indigenous Academy is number 5, Five-Eighth for Indigenous Academy is number 13, Halfback for Indigenous Academy is number 7, Hooker for Indigenous Academy is number 9, 2nd Row for Indigenous Academy is number 11, 2nd Row for Indigenous Academy is number 12, Interchange for Indigenous Academy is number 14, Interchange for Indigenous Academy is number 15, Interchange for Indigenous Academy is number 16, Interchange for Indigenous Academy is number 19, Replacement for Indigenous Academy is number 22. It's a different league. Kotoni Staggs. The Women's State of Origin series begins in June before the NRLW starts in mid-July. with the withdrawal of Helensburgh and Cronulla Caringbah, Illawarra League reduced to six as Helensburgh, Cronulla Caringbah withdraw, Prestigious All-Stars fixture to kickoff Group Seven season, United, Helensburgh share points in Premier League stalemate, Check out the tries, drama at Shellharbour knockout, Lions hold off rivals to claim opening win of 2023 IPL season, The sport's best recognised with awards at gala event in Sydney, Perennial heavyweights Lakers chasing more success, Two women making Illawarra cricket history umpiring men's game, MPs fighting for their political futures in two key Illawarra areas, Illawarra man's sexual extortion exposes chilling side of dating apps, Troubled Kingdom Developments buys back two projects from lenders, receivers, Illawarra mum's smacks of 'hysterical' child not assault: court, 'Phenomenal': Balgownie mum's verdict on Harry Styles concert, Terms and Conditions - Digital Subscription, Terms and Conditions - Newspaper Subscription. Jack de Belin MORE: St George Illawarra Dragons season preview | Ben Hunt denies Red V culture issues. Tyrell Sloan I'm excited for that. Hannah Southwell (Newcastle Knights)14. According to the NRL rules, players will be subject to the no-fault stand-down policy if they are facing criminal charges with a sentence of 11 years or more. List of NZ - Aussie based junior rep players 2022. Seconded to cover vacancy in role in People Service and Technology team. Publication of the Centenary Book covering 100 years of historical events. Caitlan Johnston (Newcastle Knights)17. "I think all those things are on the table. Meanwhile, the Central Coast Roosters will also be continuing their Harold Matthews, Andrew Johns (Regional Mens Under 16s) and Laurie Daley (Regional Mens Under 18s) campaigns this weekend. The Group Seven Rugby League commentary duo of Corey Hammond (WIN News) and Courtney Ward (South Coast Register) has been bringing live first-grade action into your household since 2019 and will once again be on the sidelines this campaign, to ensure you don't miss a second of the action. A Centurions Wall displaying the names of individuals, businesses, clubs -- contributors to the future of Illawarra Junior. Kuli Finefeuiaki (Townsville Blackhawks), Brittany Breayley-Nati Souths Logan Magpies, Destiny Brill North Queensland Gold Stars, Romy Teitzel North Queensland Gold Stars, Keilee Joseph Central Coast Roosters NSWRL, Martin Taupau (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles), Francis Molo (St George Illawarra Dragons), Josh Schuster (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles), Mathew Feagai (St George Illawarra Dragons), Toafofoa Sipley (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles), Mikaele Ravalawa (St George Illawarra Dragons), Penioni Tagituimua (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Taniela Sadrugu (North Queensland Cowboys). They have got to let him play.. Mon 23 Jan, 2023 02:33 Community. Speaking onSEN Radio,league great Greg Alexander said the NRL should reinstate Amone prior to the club's first game. Tyrell Fuimaono. The 20-year-old was . Shaylee Bent (St George Illawarra Dragons)13. Please click here for SG Ball Draw / Team Lists, Please click here for Harvey Norman Tarsha Gale Cup Draw / Team Lists. ?Full story ???? While St George will kick start their campaigns on Saturday, February 6, against the Newcastle Knights, the Steelers will instead enjoy a Round 1 bye. St George District Junior League registrations open. NSW Rugby League has received the 41-page application and is expected to consider it in coming weeks. One of the highlights of the draw for the SLE Laurie Daley and SLE Andrew Johns Cup competitions will be the Western Rams v Monaro Colts playing the curtain-raiser to the NRL Charity Shield. I feel like I've got a lot to learn there. The charter of the company Illawarra District Rugby League Football Club Limited (trading as Steelers) is to provide headquarters for Rugby League in the region; and to propagate and develop the game (at all levels male and female). "Cronulla Caringbah [withdrawing] was reasonably early, but Helensburgh was quite late, so it really doesn't give us much chance to think about who else might compete in that competition [this year]. There will be a Grand Final rematch early in the SG Ball Cup, when Canberra Raiders and the Illawarra Steelers meet in Round Five. This was when the District Club was formed Illawarra Steelers -- and was the catalyst to the de-centralisation of Rugby League in Australia. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Home; NSW Junior Reps. Harold Matthews Cup. Go head to head with other fans to pick your best players and compete in daily NRL fantasy competitions with Draftstars its free to join. If we're smart about the way we go about organising the competition, and we're innovative and don't let our thoughts be constrained by the way it's been in the past, I'm really confident that rugby league [in the Illawarra] has a vibrant future.". Rugby League has been the major sport in Illawarra since 1911 and the centenary was celebrated in 2011. Burleigh Bears. "We depend on local businesses sponsoring each year and they've been great, they're back on board on again, but we don't have the backing from a major club that can help support Helensburgh at that level. Storm centre Justin Olam, Rabbtiohs winger Alex Johnston, Broncos veteran David Mead and Roosters utility Lachlan Lam will form the basis of the Kumuls side. "This year is the first year I'm going to play club footy at hooker so I'm excited for that. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on. It lends obvious consideration as to whether it could occur at senior level, but Trodden said any such process would need to be consultative and not dictatorial. Rachael Pearson (St George Illawarra Dragons)8. Please gamble responsibly. At 18, she made her international debut for Australia as a bench utility before replacing regular hooker Brittany Breayley in last year's Test match in the starting role. Click here for the 2022 Junior Representatives draw. On 21 July 2011, whilst celebrating their centenary, Illawarra Rugby League announced their "Team of the Century". They led the West Tigers to the 2022 premiership, defeating the Cronulla Sharks 21-20 in the Grand Final. 2/25/2023 3:22:20 AM, UPDATED: NRL Line Up for Round 1 vs Dolphins, Trent Robinson Media | Roosters vs Dolphins, Round 1 Match Preview: Roosters Welcome Dolphins to the NRL, Roosters Aim for Success Amid Return to NSW Cup, Tupou Eyes Minichiello's Try-Scoring Record Ahead of 2023 Season. The Harvey Norman Tarsha Gale Cup will now have 12 teams next season while there will be 15 teams for both SG Ball Cup and Harold Matthews Cup and 10 teams for both the SLE Laurie Daley Cup and SLE Andrews Johns Cup. The Kenya Rugby League Federation and Leeds Rhinos, through their charitable Foundation, have signed a memorandum of agreement to help further the sport in the East African nation. 10 talking about this. The cancellation of the junior representative competitions in 2020 has forced a change in player age limits. The table also indicates whether the club has junior teams. In the 2022 season, 26 players transferred from the Illawarra region to play for other clubs competing in the Harvey Norman Premiership. The league may also use discretionary powers if the alleged crime involves a woman or a child. If that is part of the no fault stand down policy that you are facing 11 years in jail, it changes everything. "If accepted, the Steelers Harvey Norman Premiership team will improve opportunities for women and girls in our region. - Assist the team, specifically the Director and Program Manager, to deliver results and streamline . This was the first joint-venture in the major Rugby League competition following the Super League disruptions of 1996-98. Our elite players will be able to represent their region and play in the local competition," O'Connor said. Meanwhile, Sam Bremner (Helensburgh Tigers) and Teagan Berry (Stingrays of Shellharbour) featured in the Sharks line-up. Amone's initial maximum prison sentence sat at 14 years if found guilty, which saw the playmaker fall under the NRL's no-fault stand-down policy. Both the Dragons and Steelers will compete in the Harold Matthews, SG Ball and Tarsha Gale Cup competitions. The centenary sculpture that stands outside WIN Stadium, directly opposite the Steelers Club. The NSWRL is pleased to announce the draws for the 2022 Junior Representative season with three new teams joining the Harvey Norman NSW Tarsha Gale Cup in another boost for womens Rugby League. But in a potentially promising twist for the Dragons, Amone's case will now be heard in Wollongong Local Court as opposed to a district court, which has seen his maximum sentence drop to just five years. Known throughout the Rugby League world as the Nursery of Champions, the Illawarra region has produced 47 male and 26 female senior Australian representatives, who came from the local schools and junior Leagues displayed at the front of the Steelers Club. The official page for the South Coast Group 7 Rugby League Junior competition. You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content. Davis spent last year's NRLW season alongside Breayley at the Dragons and acknowledges the Queensland vice-captain as the benchmark dummy half in the game. Group 7 Junior Rugby League The Sydney Roosters Junior Representative sides have been named for Round 4 of the 2023 season. St. George Illawarra Dragons reached the grand final in the initial year of 1999 and won the joint-venture clubs first premiership in 2010 also taking out the World Club Challenge with a win over Wigan in the UK. National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. Naming of the Illawarra Team of the Century, which is proudly displayed in the Steelers Club entry. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples, where our games are played, our programs are conducted and in the communities we support. 2. Our long running competition, welcomes all members of the community to join teams across junior, senior and women's competitions. I believe they should exercise their discretion in this circumstance to allow Mr Amone to rejoin his team and continue with his career. The Illawarra League is all but certain to feature just six teams in the top grade this year, with foundation club Helensburgh forced to withdraw from the top flight for the second time in three seasons. "I didn't really have confidence at hooker, I hadn't played any at all before the first season of the NRLW," Davis told NRL.com. Download the Illawarra Mercury news app in the Apple Store or Google Play. St George Illawarra are reportedly pushing for young gun Talatau Junior Amone to be reinstated by the NRL, with his ongoing legal battle taking a turn prior to the season.. Illawarra Steelers bid for inclusion in Harvey Norman Womens Premiership Kirra Dibb (Newcastle Knights)7. "Collegians are as strong a club as you'd see anywhere is NSW, the same goes for Wests, Dapto, Thirroul. The Steelers teams both seniors and juniors/male and female have carried the regions scarlet colours with pride and success over nearly four decades. Kezie Apps (c) (St George Illawarra Dragons)12. featured alongside some of Australias most prominent sports journalists. That will open the article in Trove. 4. Helensburgh president Kendall Ryan said the club exhausted all options to remain in the premier competition, but it is now contemplating a rebuild via reserve grade this year. The SG Ball Cup (Under 19s), Harvey Norman Tarsha Gale Cup (Under 19s), SLE Laurie Daley Cup (Under 18s), Harold Matthews Cup (Under 17s) and the SLE Andrew Johns Cup (Under 16s) all kick-off this Saturday 5 February. I'm really confident that next year, and in the coming seasons, it'll be back up to eight and hopefully 10.". More from Local Sport 6. Its a technicalityhowever, I think the NRL have to," he said. "It comes down to finances primarily because we don't have the backing of a major leagues club or anything like that to help us through this [tough] time," Ryan told The Mercury. I want to thank all our sponsors and supporters who always stick with us, and we will be back up in the Mojo Cup in the not-too-distant future.". Trodden said there's broad scope for the addition of teams in future, with Illawarra part of the NSWRL's 'Southern Corridor' that also covers the St George, Cronulla-Sutherland and Group Seven regions. We've done a similar thing in Newcastle where [Central Coast clubs] Wyong and The Entrance, have played the last few years in the Newcastle competition, while their second grade teams remain in the Central Coast competition. T&Cs apply. Jayden Sullivan Profile. An opportunity to experience rugby league. Over 200 players attended what was a high quality and extremely competitive selection process at Todd Park, Blakehurst. Zane Musgrove Join the . The under 19 Origin squads as well as the womens NSW and Queensland teams have also been announced. 2/26/2023 3:50:43 PM, Last updated: 2/27/2023 3:14:32 PM. 2/27/2023 10:28:30 PM. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. Davis could get her chance to retain the Jillaroos No.9 jersey in the rescheduled women's State of Origin clash in November. The Illawarra Rugby Leagueis a rugby leaguecompetition in Wollongong, NSW. The entire team follows: The following table lists the clubs and the teams fielded in the 2022 senior competitions: Mojo Homes Illawarra Cup - NSWRL President's Cup Southern Conference (PC), Division 1 (Div1), Division 2 (Div2), Under 18s (U18), Women's tackle (Wom), Ladies League Tag (LLT). The Representative Round ends with the mens Origin showdown in Perth where NSW need to win to keep the series alive after Queenslands 16-10 upset in game one. 2023 Draws, Results, Ladders; . 2023 NRL Signings Tracker: Lodge elevated to top 30; Sivo re-signs, Team Talk: Dragons 2023 overview, best 17, squad update, Apps on World Cup glory and return to the field, Round 1 flashback: Dragons v Sharks, 2021. The Sydney Roosters side to take on the Illawarra Steelers in Round 4 is as follows: Last updated: Illawarra gained CRL District, Group and finally Divisional status (1966). 17. Unfortunately we weren't in a position to throw the money at them to get them over the line. In 2011 the Illawarra Junior Rugby League Centenary Committee set aside $20,000 to maintain the scholarship, which is awarded to a qualified Illawarra Junior Rugby League player or junior referee in their first year of study at UOW on an annual basis. However, Shellharbour's decision in 2009 to field a team in the NSW Cup was coupled with a decision to play in the Illawarra Rugby League as well, blurring the boundary between the two competitions. All the representative squads bursting with NRL talent for the Pacific Tests have been announced, along with the NSW and Queensland teams for Origin II in Perth and Kotoni Staggs will be able to line up for Tonga after being dropped by the Blues. This week the games at Mascot Oval between the Sydney Roosters and the Parramatta Eels Harold Matts and Tarsha Gale, games at Raiders Belconnen between Canberra Raiders and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Harold Matts and SG Ball sides along with Canberra Raiders and Illawarra Steelers in the Tarsha Gale Cup will feature. It is one of the oldest rugby league competitions in Australia, founded in 1911 with five clubs (Dapto, Helensburgh, Mount Keira, Unanderra and Wollongong). Kiwi Ferns:Amy Turner, Annetta-Claudia Nuuausala, Autumn-Rain Stephens Daly, Charlotte Scanlan, Christyl Stowers, Georgia Hale, Hailee-Jay Maunsell, Kararaina Wira-Kohu, Karli Hansen, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Krystal Rota, Laishon Albert-Jones, Madison Bartlett, Mya Hill-Moana, Ngatokotoru Arakua, Nita Maynard, Page, McGregor, Raecene McGregor, Roxy Murdoch. The Illawarra Division is one of the strongest, along with Newcastle, local competition in New South Wales. It's a position Davis isn't too familiar with after playing most of her junior career in the halves but a challenge she's willing to take on in a bid to remain part of the Jillaroos' 2021 World Cup preparations. The loss of the 2015 premiers is a bitter blow for the Illawarra League, which has struggled to consistently sustain more than six teams for the best part of a decade. Group 5 was the local competition from 1961 until it merged with another local competition to form Group 19 in 1980. Tip: To view original newspaper articles on matches up to 1954, hover over the blue number in the Reports column and then click on the article name. https://t.co/UgrDZKyMHJ#SkyBlues pic.twitter.com/5Kasc2pZvS. Sam Bremner (Cronulla Sharks NSW Womens Premiership)19. Berkeley returned in 2016 but dropped to the third-grade competition amid the pandemic with no immediate interest in returning. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. A qualified personal trainer, Davis made the most of self-isolation by opening a home-style gym during the break. 5. "We've been a little bit constrained this year because the withdrawals were a bit later, but I think it was really successful last year and shows the potential for what it might look like in the future. Scorch's Kids Zone. I feel like I've got a lot to learn there.". Sports writer. Illawarra Junior Rugby League Creating something beyond football. Illawarra and Group Seven have long-merged junior competitions and are jointly represented at junior rep level by the Illawarra South Coast Dragons, while South Coast talent also flows heavily into the Illawarra Steelers junior reps. "We are looking to progress the development of the women's game in the Illawarra through the entry of a Steelers team in an elite competition, with a direct pathway to the St George Illawarra Dragons and the NRLW.".