Canberra’s Ella Ryan will join the Raiders for the club’s inaugural NRLW season after recently completing her Super W commitments with the NSW Waratahs.
Jessica Gentle and Tara Reinke have also signed with the club, who are two talented prospects on the rise.
Ryan played for the Waratahs in the Super W competition this season, having played the three seasons prior for the ACT Brumbies.
The 20-year-old was also part of the Australian Under 18’s Sevens team in 2019.
Ryan played her first season of Rugby League in 2022 for the Woden Valley Rams in the Katrina Fanning Shield (KFS) competition and said she can’t wait to continue her journey with the Raiders this season.
“The announcement of the Raiders NRLW team really sparked that motivation in me to want to play for my home team and that’s why I started playing League,” Ryan said.
“I’m looking forward to just getting to play in front of a home crowd and obviously the inaugural team for Raiders NRLW.
“I think being able to represent my home state where I’ve grown up, I’m just super excited to put on the green jersey.”
Gentle has achieved a lot in her short time in the game, after taking up Rugby League just last year.
The outside back was part of the NSW Country team that won the 2022 National Championships, scoring two tries in the final as well as being named Player of the Tournament for the Open’s division.
The 26-year-old then signed with the Knights for the 2022 NRLW season and made her NRLW debut against the Dragons in round five.
Gentle was also named the 2022 NSW Country Women’s Player of the Year at the Brad Fittler Medal last September.
Prior to her Rugby League career, Gentle spent six years in Wyoming in America, playing Soccer and Rugby Union.
Gentle said she can’t wait to move to Canberra and start the next chapter of her Rugby League journey.
“I can’t wait to get down there and be a part of it, meet everyone and see what it’s all about. I’m super keen to be part of the first team. It means a lot and I’m very grateful for the experience and the opportunity,” Gentle said.
“Just to be part of the first team is super exciting, to build that environment and culture at the club is a really cool opportunity.”
Reinke joins the Raiders after impressing for the Easts Tigers in the BMD Premiership in Queensland.
The 23-year-old is in just her third season of Rugby League, playing locally in Gatton in her first season and having spent the past two seasons at the Easts Tigers.
The front rower has a background in Powerlifting, having held some Australian records since taking up the sport in 2017.
Reinke said she’s excited for the opportunity to be part of the NRLW squad and learn from her Raiders coaching staff and teammates.
“It’s absolutely awesome to be honest, I’m excited to be part of an inaugural team and really build the pathways for the girls is exciting,” Reinke said.
“I’ve been watching all the signings and it looks really exciting so I’m pumped.”
Raiders NRLW coach Darrin Borthwick said he’s excited to continue to build out his roster and the potential of the team’s three most recent signings.
“Ella comes to us from obviously playing Rugby Union but has also played a bit of Rugby League in the KFS comp, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what Ella can produce for us,” Borthwick said.
“She’s a clever little half in Rugby Union and I think she’ll transition quite well into our squad.”
“Jess is one that has been at another club and has experienced a Premiership. She’s a speedster, she’s a finisher so she’ll add that speed that I’m looking for within our team.
“I’ve spoken to her a few times, she’s a really lovely girl and I’m really looking forward to seeing what experience Jess can add to our squad.”
“I’ve watched a fair bit of footage on Tara and she’s got a really good work ethic. She comes from a country town in Queensland. There’s some really good traits with her.
“I’ve been really impressed with what I’ve seen from her at East Tigers up in the BMD competition. I think she’ll fit into the values we’ll have here as a team so I can’t wait for Tara to get here.”
