Melbourne Storm will celebrate the NRL’s Women in League round this weekend by recognising those who are helping to shape the game of rugby league in Victoria.
The game has experienced incredible growth - on and off the field - in recent years, led by volunteers, administrators, players, coaches, mums and grandmothers across the state.
With a 50% increase in participation in the last year alone, the number of women and girls playing and supporting the game is at its highest point ever with nearly 1500 women and girls registered to play in 2024.
The introduction of a Storm Female Development program this season and plans to have a NRLW team in the future has given young players a legitimate pathway and aspiration to play in the purple jersey in the years to come.
The first 30 players selected in the inaugural Storm Female Development Program will do a lap of honour before play this weekend when Storm take on the Dragons at AAMI Park.
As more opportunities are presented on the field, the number of females engaged with the sport at the grassroots and the elite level is driving greater awareness of important issues facing those making a contribution to the game more broadly.
Off the field, the introduction of the Women of Storm initiative has provided a platform for the Club to explore challenges facing women in the workforce and in sport, while also providing real opportunities for young players to realise their dream of playing in the NRL.
This weekend, as the Club celebrates the NRL’s Women in League Round, players will wear the Women of Storm warm up tee, which represents the theme of equality and celebrates Storm's long-standing partnership with the Victorian Women's Trust.
Storm has also been helping to raise awareness of and address the concerning rates of domestic violence and equality through a partnership with Our Watch and the NRL’s ‘Voice Against Violence’ program.
With the support of the Victorian Government, Storm has introduced the ‘Stand Up, Speak Out, Take Action’ initiative that has helped to raise awareness of and help prevent violence against women in the community.
Delivering to both Storm’s pathway programs and the local Victorian rugby league community, the Voice Against Violence program is aimed at fostering a sense of empowerment and responsibility to stand up, speak out and take action to contribute to the prevention of violence.
Storm has also partnered with Our Watch to deliver a series of prevention workshops and help in the development of the Club’s first Gender Equity Action Plan.
