Caslick cleared to join NRLW but rep footy not on her agenda

Rugby star Charlotte Caslick has been granted clearance to join the NRLW but she is unlikely to suit up for representative duty in league.

Caslick, who was a key part of Australia’s gold medal-winning women’s rugby sevens team at the 2016 Olympics, has held discussions with the Roosters about making a switch this season.

While she is keen to line up for the NRLW in October, she stopped short of making herself available for the women’s State of Origin match in November or any subsequent Tests that the Jillaroos may play at the end of the year.

“A few of us [in the Rugby Sevens squad] have been given September and October off, so if we do want to consider playing NRLW,” she said.

“We’ve been given releases and permission from Rugby Australia. They know we need to be playing, and as athletes it’s not that fun just training all year for the sake of it, so they’re more than happy for us to give it a shot if we want to. 

“In terms of State of Origin and Jillaroos ambitions, I think I would rather commit myself fully to rugby league rather than [put my name forward] at a time when I am chopping and changing and … trying to reach the pinnacle of both.”

Caslick and St George Illawarra forward Kezie Apps are promoting Footy Colours Day for 2020 for the Fight Cancer Foundation.

They are encouraging families, workplaces and schools to host their own virtual or socially distanced Footy Colours Day this footy season, raising much-needed funds for kids with cancer. 

Footballers from all codes are rallying together as ambassadors for the charity, to support kids with cancer in keeping up with school during their treatment and recovery.

"[Footy Colours Day] is something that I think is a great cause to raise funds for kids with cancer, but I also know how much rugby league and footy in general brings a lot of people together," Apps said.

"It’s a chance for everyone to see your true colours in what team you support as well, so I think it’s a fantastic fundraiser for everyone to be involved in.

"You can’t be what you can’t see. When we were growing up … we didn’t have any female role models to look up to, but now there’s so many young boys and girls who have got so many amazing female athletes to look up to.

"They’ve got soccer, ALFW, netball, sevens, 15s and union. So many different sports that they can aspire to be in and it’s pretty special to be a role model for these young girls."

Click here to find out more about the Footy Colours Day campaign.