U17 Girls Take Centre Stage at GIO Stadium for Women in League Round

In celebration of Women in League Round, two CRRL Under 17 Girls teams will step onto the big stage this Saturday at GIO Stadium, playing a curtain-raiser ahead of a blockbuster NRL match.

At 12:45PM, the Junior Bushrangers and Woden Valley Rams Under 17s girls teams will take the field at GIO Stadium, ahead of the top-of-the-table clash between the Canberra Raiders and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at 3:00PM.

With a sell-out crowd expected, it’s a major platform to showcase the emerging talent in Canberra’s thriving female rugby league community.

“This match is a fantastic opportunity for the Under 17 girls to not only showcase their rugby league skills, but a chance to emulate their Raiders NRLW heroes,” said CRRL General Manager Mark Vergano.

“The next Simaima Taufa or Grace Kemp could be in this group of young players, along with all the girls who’ve taken up the game and helped drive the growth of female participation in recent seasons.”

CRRL’s female registrations have risen by 13% this year - from 1,726 in 2024 to 1,945 in 2025 - continuing a strong upward trend in female participation at the grassroots level.

This growth reflects a broader commitment across the region to creating accessible and inspiring pathways for girls in rugby league.

“We’re proud of the work being done to build an inclusive game, and this event is a great reflection of where we’re headed,” Vergano said. 

Further elevating the occasion, the Canberra Raiders NRLW squad will be in attendance to cheer the girls on before beginning their own pre-season training next week.

The Canberra Raiders and Canberra Region Rugby League also wish to acknowledge the vital contribution of all women in the game - not only as players, but as referees, trainers, managers, coaches, and administrators.

“We thank them for their contribution to the greatest game of all,” Vergano said.