Canberra Raiders star Grace Kemp was recently in Wagga along with Brad Fittler as part of the Hogs Tour. Canberra Raiders star and Harden-Murrumburrah local Grace Kemp is confident that the inaugural women’s tackle competition in Group Nine will be a game-changer, helping more girls in the region, including Young and surrounds, to reach their dreams of playing in the NRLW.
The 2025 women’s tackle premiership will feature eight teams, including Young, and will be a major step forward for women’s rugby league in the region. Gundagai, Temora, Estella Storm, Young, Tumut, Albury, Southcity, and Junee will compete in the exciting new competition. Kemp, who grew up in Harden, is thrilled by the launch of this competition. She believes it will open up more pathways for girls in the region to play high-level rugby league and eventually make it to the NRLW. “I think it’s really important for the future of the game,” Kemp said.
“This competition will create much needed path-ways for young girls to get into NRLW jerseys and open up more opportunities as the women’s space continues to grow.”
Kemp explained that girls in the region, especially those around 17 years old, will benefit from having more competitive opportunities at their age level. As the sport continues to develop, this competition will give them a confidence boost as they move up to higher levels, such as the Tarsha Gale Cup and the Lisa Fiaola system.
“The women’s game is growing, and this competition will be a great confidence builder for young girls,” Kemp said.
“It’s super exciting, and I wish all the teams the best of luck as they take part in this inaugural event.”
Reflecting on her own journey, Kemp recalled the challenges she faced growing up in Harden and attending school in Young, where there wasn’t much focus on women’s rugby league. Now an established NRLW player, she sees it as crucial to inspire the next generation by visiting regional areas like Young.
“It’s massive for female participation in the game,” Kemp said. “Em and I, we’re both from rural towns like Harden, and we didn’t have many female role models in rugby league. It’s exciting now to be the one going out to communities to show girls that there’s a pathway to becoming a female athlete, no matter where you come from.”
Kemp recently visited Wagga Wagga as part of the Hogs Tour, alongside NSW rugby league legend Brad Fittler. While the clinics they ran were attended by a number of boys, Kemp noted a noticeable increase in the number of girls getting involved in the sport.
“It’s fantastic to see more girls participating in events like these,” Kemp said.
“The excitement is growing, and there’s a real buzz in the air about the opportunities for girls in rugby league. With this strong female pathway, we’re heading in the direction of full-time professional roles in the near future. It’s incredibly exciting to see, and I know these girls will have the opportunity to turn this into a career by the time they’re my age.”
For Kemp, this new competition and the increased involvement of young girls in rugby league are just the beginning. The future is bright for women’s rugby league, and Young is set to play an important part in that growth.
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