Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner believes the Harvey Norman Rising Invitational not only unearthed future NRLW stars but provided developmental benefits for the game in the Pacific.
Running alongside last weekend's NRLW Magic Round, the Harvey Norman Rising Invitational brought together 70 of the game’s most promising young players from across Australia and the Pacific in Wagga Wagga.
The invitational marked a significant milestone for the NRL’s female Pacific Pathways Strategy, with athletes and staff from Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Fiji taking part.
“It's so important that we grow the Pacific, and that just grows our game,” said Skinner.
“We caught up with the Pasifika girls and talked about the responsibility they have to go home and breathe life into the women's game in their country."
PNG coach Debbie Karoe said the experience was beneficial to both players and coaching staff who will now take valuable knowledge that can be passed on in communities.
“We had five girls from PNG come over. It means a lot because it’s given the girls exposure to show their talents,” said Karoe.
“It’s a stepping stone into the NRLW, we are hoping that back home we can improve on the pathways and build towards creating a team”.
Held over three days, the Harvey Norman Rising Invitational gave the next generation of NRLW stars an opportunity to impress recruiters and coaches.
“The quality of football was amazing; the interest shown by all the NRLW clubs has been phenomenal,” Skinner said.
“We could be seeing 2027 signings, which is what this is about: unearthing new talent that hasn't been seen by our recruiting managers and coaches.
Skinner said players were handpicked through pathways programs across the game.
“We work with our key stakeholders, Queensland Rugby League and New South Wales Rugby League, and they select 10 athletes for this invitational," she said.
“At the NRL, we run our First Nations Gems Academy. We play the curtain-raisers to the State of Origin and pick out 10 girls from that pathway.
“We've been able to kick off the Pacific Strategy with Tonga, Fiji and Papua New Guinea, who all have their own in-country pathways for selection.”
Beyond the on-field activities, the Rising Invitational program educates young female athletes in high-performance environments, equipping them with the skills to navigate the demands of elite sports.
“When they leave here, they have not only built connections with NRLW clubs and high-performance spaces like the Jillaroos and coaches, they’ve got a network of people to lean on for support throughout their career,” Skinner said.
“They are coming into camps, they're getting educated, and getting to know their bodies as female athletes, and that’s really important.”
Players were split into four teams and given just one official team training session, forcing the athletes to absorb coaching methods and combinations.
“We only got one proper training together as a team, and we all just gelled,” Rising
Invitational player Saupo-Mina Toeleiu said.
Harvey Norman Rising Invitational coach Renee Targett added: “Everything we are trying to teach as coaches is so fast-tracked. These young players are learning to challenge themselves and learn in such a short amount of time".
Both Targett and Skinner appreciate that Harvey Norman’s support extends beyond the playing group and the staff, helping to increase visibility and exposure around the women’s game.
“We're really lucky to have them on board because of their generosity, but also their continued advocacy for the women's space, ensuring the game is seen and heard," Skinner said.
“Their contribution to the women’s game is why we are where we are."
Targett, a former Philippines international who played NRLW with St George Illawarra, believes that visibility remains the most powerful tool for growing the women’s game.
“Harvey Norman sees that, and if you can see it, then you can be it,” she said.
“The women’s game needs more organisations like Harvey Norman to be in the corner of this competition and elevate campaigns like the Rising Invitational.
“The whole purpose of this program is to give rising talent an opportunity to be seen.
“Ultimately, the more these players can be seen and the more exposure we can get girls, the further the women’s game will grow."
