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School to Work Celebrates International Women's Day

The NRL School to Work Program is honoured to work with such amazing Indigenous women. Whether that be through stakeholders or participants, School to Work feel proud to work with women taking action. 

This years theme for International Women's Day was #embraceequity. Celebrating women's achievements - have a read of these stories from a few young Indigenous women in the School to Work Program.

Kayla Fleming - Tarsha Gale Cup with the Raiders

Rugby League for women has grown so much over the years and it is amazing to see how far it has come. I am very grateful for the pioneers of the game and how they paved the way for young women to play today. I am thankful they stuck it out and did it tough in the beginning, because the sport definitely wouldn’t have developed as much as it has without them. The women’s game may not have hit its peak yet but I definitely think it will get there. The NRLW has recently introduced four new teams into the competition which is huge for the women’s game and is very exciting! I can’t wait to see what the coming years of women’s rugby league brings and where the women’s game will continue to grow, as we have so many talented players in the NRLW and coming through the junior pathways. Even though footy is seen as a predominantly male sport I think the women have definitely claimed it as our own and the way women play rugby league has showcased a whole new level of the game. I am motivated every day by the growth of the women’s game by both past and present players and because of them, I have the drive and am very committed to the sport, and I hope to one day work my way to be playing at the top level.

Always be better than the last time you stepped onto the field and remember you are not just putting in hundred percent for you, but you need to give hundred and ten percent for your teammates beside you and leave everything on the field.

Kayla Fleming Raiders School to Work Participant

Jasmine Bradshaw - 2022 Lotte Weiss Scholarship Winner

Studying Law & Criminology at University of Newcastle

I’ve always known that I wanted to pursue a career as a lawyer as I’ve always been very opinionated especially regarding the topic of Indigenous women in law. In particular, human rights (which is where I would love to practise in the future!). I’ve found that educating myself on the law to be personally fulfilling, engaging and intellectually challenging which only motivates and inspires me to keep challenging myself throughout my degree. Being an Indigenous women studying law at university has been extremely challenging for me at times, particularly in the beginning of my first year! I am the first person to get accepted into university in my family! So I am experiencing an environment that is not only unfamiliar for myself, but also for my family as well. Although it has been challenging, it’s really important to keep reminding myself of my core values and why I started my law degree in the first place. I hope to inspire other Indigenous women to remain resilient in an environment that was traditionally not built for Indigenous women. One day I hope my work helps break that stigma of Indigenous women studying the law at university.

It's just really important, especially as an Indigenous woman that I’m always educating myself and reminding myself that it only takes one person to initiate change, and that starts with educating myself to inspire other Indigenous women to do the same.

Jasmine Bradshaw Roosters School to Work Participant

Meripa Teo - Material Engineer Officer 

Cadetship with Bluescope Steel

Women in STEM! (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) It is becoming more ‘female’-dominated for sure. My fellow first-year Cadets are dominated by women, and I feel proud knowing how many generations of women have come before us to open the doors to this space. Their actions mean more than we can recognise, and I am so very grateful. In terms of the industry as a whole, yes, I absorb that we women are the minority. To put it simply, for so long women’s intelligence has been considered less or not comparable to a ‘man’s’ - In our ever-changing society, this stereotype is still embedded. However, I believe my presence and the growing number of women in STEM debunk this hindering stereotype tenfold. Large credit is due to BlueScope, for instilling confidence and offering enormous support to ensure that I can meet my goals as a young First Nations woman in this industry.

To my matriarchs; my mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, my best friend, and peers. Seeing their achievements, their encouragement, and their efforts - equally making them proud - Is my motivation to get up and continue every day. Without the support system of these strong women in my life I’m sure I wouldn’t have found the direction that I have.

Meripa Teo Dragons School to Work Participant
Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.