The Cronulla Sharks were proud to yesterday launch a new and exciting pathway for women in Rugby League, acknowledging the importance of female involvement and player development within the sport.

The initiative is the first of its kind across NRL clubs, with the intentions to seek out the game’s best female players, and to assemble an NRL 9s squad.

Tim Thorne, Cronulla Sharks Head of Engagement and Pathways, praised the development in saying that the program will look to build upon the existing works taken out in areas across the women’s game.

“Our aim is to further add to the momentum started with the great work of the NRL and the Jillaroos Program” Thorne said.

“The 800% increase in female football numbers in 2016, are due to the tireless efforts of the JRL, Cronulla High School, NRL game development, NSWRL and Cronulla Caringbah JRLFC.

“Nathan Waugh, Cameron Johnston and the leaders in all these organisations should be very proud of what they have achieved together.

“We will focus now on developing our elite female players to be ready for whatever opportunities may come in the future through top notch development systems. We can't wait to see the talented players we help unearth and the dreams we help to make a reality.”

Australian Jillaroos Ruan Sims and Sam Bremnar were present at the launch, and spoke of the opportunities the pathway now provides for female League players.

See footage from the launch, including the thoughts of Sims and Bremnar, now playing on Sharks TV.