A commitment to equality...
The NRL Women in League Round celebrates its 15th year of recognising, celebrating and profiling women in the game, showcasing the unsung heroes and shining a light on the contribution that women make to the game.
In 2021, Women in League has evolved to meet modern expectations and provide a platform and voice to bigger issues both in rugby league and in sport more broadly.
This year, the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys acknowledge the work and contribution of three club role models who not only inspire and empower our future generation of women but continue to reduce the gender inequality gap.
Everybody has their part to play, whether male or female, elite or grassroots, on the field or off the field.
Our role models, both in football and community, pave the way for future generations of women in league by encouraging participation and breaking the mold of stereotypes, improving the opportunities of girls and women to forge their own path.
"The Cowboys play their part by creating an equal playing field for both men and women on the field and off the field, and creating an environment where anyone can achieve the goals they dare to dream."
Read on to find out more about our 2021 Women in League role models.
Tammy Quirke
Manager, North Queensland Toyota Gold Stars
Tammy Quirke
Tammy Quirke is Manager of the North Queensland Toyota Gold Stars.
She balances the part time role with her career with the Australian Defence Force after having volunteered with the club in 2018.
Described as a “tick-all-the-boxes type of person,” Tammy chips in as a sports trainer but is at times a mentor, welfare manager and second mother to many players.
Nominated as a Women in League role model by Gold Stars Coaching Director Ben Jeffries, Tammy is applauded for her selfless work ethic that contributes to providing stable pathways for female players.
Ben said her work ethic is passed down to the playing group, influencing their own performances both on and off the field.
“I think she’s just a good all-round person who’s pretty selfless, and they’re the sort of person you want in the organisation.
“I’ve personally always wanted a female coach with me when coaching women and definitely you need a female manager.
“Obviously women understand women, there’s barriers or challenges that come up in camp and they’re able to settle them if they’re not comfortable coming to a male coach, so it’s quite important.
“She just adapts because we run on a short staff, it’s mostly all hands-on deck, everyone chips in.”
Tammy set the standard for the playing group and staff early in her tenure and has created an environment where players want to learn, compete and build lasting relationships as a team.
Additionally, she is an integral member of the Western Lions Rugby League Club where she performs administrative and on-field roles for both junior and senior grassroots players.
She was rewarded for her hard work with the Gold Stars when called up to manage the Queensland State of Origin U19 side.
Tammy plays her part by creating and fostering opportunities and pathways for female players.
Rochelle Jones
General Manager, NRL Cowboys House
Rochelle Jones
Rochelle Jones is General Manager of NRL Cowboys House.
She is responsible for overseeing the operation of both the boys and girls campus at the house which provides supported accommodation for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from remote communities.
Rochelle facilitates the education, health and mental wellbeing, social support and cultural safety of all male and female students living at NRL Cowboys House.
Ultimately, the success of each individual student is supported by the environment created by Rochelle and her team of staff at the house.
One of the greatest challenges for students is flourishing in an environment that is different to life in their communities, and Rochelle ensures a smooth transition to that environment for each student.
Nominated as a Women in League role model by Chief Community and Government Relations Officer Fiona Pelling, Rochelle is considered a genuine leader in equality across gender and cultural background for both students and staff.
“Rochelle has a real passion for equality and ensuring that our girls have equal opportunity to what our boys do,” Fiona said.
“She is a firm believer that the girls understand their roles do not need to be confined to their gender, and if they want to be a carpenter, House staff will do everything they can to ensure students are supported and can realise that dream."
“There have been a number of young ladies at the girls campus who have been through the House and undertaken and succeeded in pathways which are traditionally male-oriented roles.”
Rochelle's role also includes ensuring students are setup for the future and to achieve the House’s goal of education with a purpose, providing students with a plan into adult life.
Rochelle plays her part by fostering access to education for girls and removing gender as a barrier for girls achieving their dreams.
Ben Jeffries
Coaching Director, North Queensland Toyota Gold Stars
Ben Jeffries
Ben Jeffries is Coaching Director of the North Queensland Toyota Gold Stars.
The role is an extension of the Queensland Pathways and Indigenous pathways areas he has been a part of since 2016.
He is tasked with overlooking the Gold Stars team which sees women from three regions, Cairns, Townsville and Mackay, play in the QRL Women’s Premiership.
Ben has experienced firsthand and been involved in the rapid growth of the women’s game through the establishment of an academy and clearer pathways for girls into an elite level of the game.
He believes the biggest hurdle currently is understanding the enormous pool of women’s talent in North Queensland and giving them an opportunity to move through the Gold Stars and into an NRLW franchise.
Cowboys’ Head of Football Micheal Luck, who nominated Ben as a Women in League role model, described him as a champion of the women’s game in the North.
“Ben’s a passionate advocate for women’s rugby league and a driving force behind its success in the region,” he said.
“The women’s game would not be where it is in North Queensland without him.
“For players to come from three regions, train once a week and achieve success, is a testament to themselves and the people who’ve worked in all three regions to get them to that point.”
While the Gold Stars did not make the grand final this year, Ben has applauded the playing group and labelled their season a success due to the challenges they overcame.
Ben believes a balance between male and female coaching staff around the playing group fosters a dynamic environment where different ideas can be generated, benefitting the game and pushing it forward.
Ben plays his part by being an advocate for the women’s game and helping female players fulfil their potential.
ON OUR WAY TO $20K
There are other ways you can get involved and make a difference this Women in League Round!
To further the incredible work of the NRL Cowboys House Girls Campus, we’ve launched our ON OUR WAY TO 20K fundraising campaign.
Our goal is to raise $20,000 across two of our Women in League game-day activations!
50-50 CHARITY RAFFLE
With 50% of every 50-50 Charity Raffle ticket sold this round going to the NRL Cowboys House Girls Campus, and our winner picking up the other half, it’s a win/win!
Look out for the sellers in green at the stadium or you can get your tickets online now at cowboys.com.au/5050.
WOMEN IN LEAGUE CHARITY JERSEY AUCTION
If unique Cowboys memorabilia is what you’re after, don’t miss out on adding a jersey from Saturday’s game to your collection!
Individual playing jerseys up for grabs, plus there’ll be a one-of-a-kind team-signed Women in League jersey available.
The auction goes live at 12pm Sunday with all proceeds supporting our NRL Cowboys House Girls Campus.
Thanks for playing your part.
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