Katrina Fanning Scholarship Program /

Evie Perry Receives 2026 Katrina Fanning Scholarship

Canberra Raiders Lisa Fiaola Cup member Evie Perry has received the 2026 Katrina Fanning Scholarship through the Canberra Raiders Foundation.

The scholarship, founded in 2023, provides financial assistance to a female player who has come through the Canberra Raiders pathways program, to assist in their rugby league and educational opportunities while in the Canberra Raiders development system.

This year's recipient, Evie Perry, hails from Wagga Wagga in NSW and has travelled to and from Wagga Wagga over the past two seasons to play for the Raiders. Her efforts on the field were rewarded earlier this year, when she was named the Players Player for the Lisa Fiaola Cup team in 2026.

Perry was able to catch up with Katrina Fanning at the recent NRLW Magic Round in Wagga Wagga, where the scholarship was presented to her on-field during the halftime break of the Raiders v Cowboys game at Geohex Park.

Perry said the opportunity to receive the scholarship was extremely humbling.

“I feel extremely grateful. The Scholarship in itself, being named after Katrina Fanning, it means a lot. She’s an idol for all Women’s Rugby League players. She’s really built Women’s Rugby League to be what it is now and she continues to do so much with it. It’s an honour to be awarded with this Scholarship,” Perry said.

“It’s really cool, seeing someone that is from a regional area (Junee) has made it so far and has made such a big impact on Women’s Rugby League really inspires me.”

Perry said the scholarship will allow her to continue her rugby league dream and the costs associated with travelling from a regional area.

“The travel is obviously a lot, it’s about two and a half hours there, so about five to six hours there and back. So even for fuel and stuff that will help and for school. School is obviously very hard when I’m away from it a fair bit, it will definitely help with where I want to get in life other than footy.”

“I’m definitely striving for NRLW one day and hopefully I’m on the right path to doing so. I’ll keep working hard and see where it gets me.”

Raiders Foundation Manager Paul Walshe said Evie Perry was a deserved recipient of the Katrina Fanning scholarship and looked forward to seeing her progression like others who have gone before her.

“Evie Perry’s dedication and commitment to her rugby league journey make her a more than worthy recipient of this year's Katrina Fanning Scholarship,” Walshe said. “The Raiders Foundation are proud to present her with this opportunity, and we look forward to seeing Evie follow the likes of Georgia Willey and Elise Simpson, who have gone on to represent the Raiders in the NRLW as former scholarship holders.”

2024 Recipient - Elise Simpson 

Canberra Raiders Tarsha Gale Cup member Elise Simpson has received the 2024 Katrina Fanning Scholarship through the Canberra Raiders Foundation.

The scholarship, founded in 2023, provides financial assistance to a female player who has come up through the Canberra Raiders pathways program, to assist in their rugby league and educational opportunities while in the Canberra Raiders development system.

This year’s recipient Elise Simpson, who is completing her secondary studies, said she was honoured to receive the scholarship and said it would benefit her on her journey towards the NRLW.

“I want to thank the Raiders Foundation for the opportunity to receive the Katrina Fanning Scholarship this year, and I know it will help me on the way to achieving my goals.”

Raiders Foundation Manager Paul Walshe said the Raiders Foundation was proud to continue the scholarship and looked forward to seeing Elise’s progression on and off the field.

“The Katrina Fanning Scholarship is now in its second year and we’re proud to be able to continue to assist young women who are looking to further their studies and support their journey towards the NRLW,” Walshe said. “It’s wonderful to have an icon of the game like Katrina Fanning associated with this scholarship and even more so this year after she was recently named in the NRL Hall of Fame.”

2023 Recipient - Georgia Willey

At the NRLW season launch in June 2023 the Raiders Foundation announced a new NRLW Scholarship, the Katrina Fanning Scholarship Program.

Katrina grew up in Junee and moved to Canberra after high school, starting a career with a traineeship in the ACT public service while playing rugby league for Australia.

When she retired after more than a decade in the game Katrina was the most capped female player in the world and credits her experience on football fields for her professional achievements and leadership style, striving to get the best out of everyone in her team.

Katrina is a member of the Raiders Board, Chairs the Australian Rugby League Indigenous Committee and in January 2023 was awarded one of the highest honours, the Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO).

Given Katrina’s commitment to Women’s NRL and standing in the game it is very appropriate that the Katrina Fanning Scholarship is named in her honour as recognition of the wonderful work Katrina has done and continues to do in this area.

Georgia Willey was announced at the first ever Katrina Fanning Scholarship recipient. The Scholarship will allow Georgia to continue her journey towards the NRLW.