Melbourne Storm continues to build the foundations of a future NRLW team after welcoming 30 players as part of the inaugural Storm Female Development program.
The 30 players were selected from a list of more than 80 athletes aged between 15 and 16 who trialled in three combines across metro-Melbourne over the last month.
Players and parents were welcomed to the Club in a function at AAMI Park by CEO, Justin Rodski, before being presented with their official training kit for the 12-week program.
“This is an incredibly proud and historic moment for our Club,” Rodski said at the induction.
“For the first time female players in Victoria have a pathway to play for Storm. There has been a lot of planning put into this program that we hope will help us prepare as best we can for a NRLW team playing in the competition in the future.
“We have seen an increase in female participation of over 40% across the state this year alone which will see the talent pool continue to grow and give us the chance field a future NRLW team with a majority of players from Victoria.” Rodski said,
Former Captain, Christian Welch, also spoke to the players and parents before the first team photo was taken in the stands of AAMI Park.
“When I first started at the club - like these girls - seeing the likes of Cameron Smith practicing goal kicking, Billy Slater doing his rehab in the gym and Cooper Cronk watching clips as state and national representative players, it made it clear to me what the standards and expectations would be,” Welch said.
“I was very lucky to get the benefits of training and conditioning of the junior pathways programs that helped me prepare for the NRL.
“I’m a Queensland implant into Victoria but have grown to love this Club and this city. For these girls who are born and bred in Victoria and build a legacy of their own is very exciting.” Welch said.
The squad of 30 players will embark on a 12-week program working with Storm coaches and staff, before heading off on a three-day tour of New South Wales for trial matches.
The Storm Female Development Squad is supported by the Women of Storm initiative in partnership with Co-Presenting Partners Kangan Institute and BMD and supporting partners Cointree, Suzuki, The Amazing Baby Company, Gallaghers and Kieser.
