Female Leadership Program
Strengthening rugby by building capability and increasing female involvement across all areas of the game.
In 2026, the program will focus on the next generation of leaders through the launch of the Mentee Initiative. Alumni from 2025 will play a key role in guiding and supporting participants through a mentoring period.
With the 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup on the horizon, this refreshed program forms part of a multi-year journey towards greater gender equality in rugby, celebrating and supporting the rise of women in the sport.
The 2026 cohort are currently involved in Group Coaching and online education sessions delivered by Monica Beazley from Monarch Management.
Congratulations to our 2026 Leadership Program cohort:
NSW Emeline Mataia-Volkman
VIC Cynthia Tran
TAS Rebecca Sweetman
QLD Kristin Jade Dunn
ACT Shelley Bradshaw
QLD Lucy Dinnen
NT Sarah Polhill
VIC Tiffany Leung
NSW Jessie Middlemiss
QLD Stephanie Karvelis
QLD Maria Gabriela Graf
NSW Jodie Steele
SA Amanda Sheeky
QLD Abbi Spooner
WA Anneka Catherine Stephens
SA Courtney Jade Plowman
NSW Harriet Schmude
NSW Rachael Marsh
NSW Lea’auta Dreyanne Malietoa
WA Valuese Tiakia
Congratulations to our successful applicants for the 2025 Leadership Program:
Linda Hutton - NSWRU
Ash Knight - QRU
Kylie Kook - ACT & SNSWRU
Mel Kawa - RV
Silei Etuale - RV
Debby Carley - RWA
Janine Briggs - RWA