Melbourne Storm is paving the way for more women and girls to play, coach and referee rugby league in Victoria with the backing of the Australian Government.
Storm CEO Justin Rodski, Captain Harry Grant, and a group of young players and referees - Mahlia Davys, Pearl Potesio, Taylor Marama and Deandrea Morgan - joined Minister for Sport, Anika Wells, at AAMI Park to officially launch the Breaking Barriers program.
The program, supported through the Government’s Play Our Way initiative, is designed to grow the number of female coaches and referees in Victoria, while also preparing players for the Club’s future entry into the Lisa Fiaola U17 and Tarsha Gale U19 NSW Rugby League competitions.
Storm CEO, Justin Rodski, said the support of the Australian Government would build on the success of the Club’s female development program, introduced in 2024 when 98 players from across the state trialled to play in the purple jersey.
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Rodski and Wells: Female Pathways Grant
“Victoria is already one of the fastest growing regions in the country when it comes to female participation,” Rodski said.
“The introduction of our female development program last year and plans to have under 17 and under 19 teams next season have created a genuine pathway for young players, but we need to keep building on these foundations if we are to see a Storm NRLW team playing in the future.
“This support from the Australian Government allows us to go further — not just by developing players, but by increasing the number of female coaches and referees, who are just as vital to the game. It's important that women and girls know they can be involved in all areas of rugby league, from grassroots to elite levels,” Rodski said.
Female participation rates increased by 50% in 2024 with a further increase of 32% (year-to-date) in 2025, ranking among the highest growth rates in the country and in line with traditional rugby league strongholds like Penrith and Newcastle.
“Melbourne Storm’s Breaking Barriers is a great Play Our Way project because while it increases female participation on field - it also addresses gender gaps in coaching and refereeing,” Minister Wells said at the announcement.
“The Albanese Government has invested $717,000 in Breaking Barriers to help women in Victoria thrive in rugby league whether it’s as a player, coach or referee. We need more women making decisions for more women in sport and that’s exactly what this Play Our Way program will do.”
The Breaking Barriers program has already seen 28 new female referees complete their training in readiness for the season ahead and 40 new female coaches have registered for the Storm coaching clinic in May.
A Storm U17 team will also play an exhibition match against the North Sydney Bears on AAMI Park immediately after the NRL match scheduled during ‘Women in League Round’ on Sunday 11 May.
“For the first time, we are creating a genuine pathway for women and girls who aspire to become elite players, coaches or referees. There is still a lot of work to be done but this support of the Federal Government is the kick start we needed to build the foundations here in Victoria.” Rodski said.
