Canberra Raiders Women
The Canberra Raiders Women are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They compete in the National Rugby League Women's Premiership (NRLW), Australasia's premier rugby league competition for female players. The Raiders were admitted to the NRLW in June 2022 to commence in the 2023 NRL Women's season.[1]
The Raiders' home ground is Canberra Stadium (GIO Stadium) in Bruce, Australian Capital Territory. The official symbol for the Canberra Raiders Women is the same as the men’s team, which is the Viking.
| Club information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Canberra Raiders Rugby League Club | ||
| Nickname(s) | The Green Machine | ||
| Colours | Lime Green White Navy | ||
| Founded | 30 March 1981 in Queanbeyan NSW | ||
| Website | raiders.com.au | ||
| Current details | |||
| Ground(s) |
| ||
| CEO | Don Furner Jr | ||
| Chairman | Dennis Richardson | ||
| Coach | Darrin Borthwick | ||
| Captain | Simaima Taufa Zahara Temara | ||
| Competition | NRL Women's Premiership | ||
| |||
 Current season | |||
Head-to-head records
| Opponent | First Meeting | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Win % | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Sharks | 23 Jul 2023 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 28 | 0.00% | 33.33% |
 Roosters | 29 Jul 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 14 | 100.00% | 63.16% |
 Tigers | 6 Aug 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 22 | 100.00% | 56.00% |
 Dragons | 12 Aug 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 18 | 100.00% | 51.35% |
 Eels | 20 Aug 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 22 | 100.00% | 56.00% |
 Broncos | 27 Aug 2023 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 40 | 0.00% | 16.67% |
 Knights | 2 Sep 2023 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 20 | 0.00% | 37.50% |
 Cowboys | 10 Sep 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 12 | 100.00% | 73.91% |
 Titans | 17 Sep 2023 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 30 | 0.00% | 16.67% |
| Totals | 23 Jul 2023 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 173 | 206 | 55.56% | 45.65% |
Notes
- Share % is the percentage of points For over the sum of points For and Against.
- Clubs listed in the order than the Raiders Women first played them.
- Last updated: 18 September 2023
Current squad
The team is coached by Darrin Borthwick.
Jersey numbers in the table reflect team selections for Round 9.
Table last updated on 17 September 2023.
| J# | Player | Age | Position(s) | NRLW Seasons | NRLW Stats | Origin | Tests | All Stars | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | M | T | G | Pts | |||||||
| 1 | Apii Nicholls | 30 | Fullback |  3 | 3 | — | — | 5 |  8 | 19 | 0 | 7 | 14 | — |  12 | — |
| 2 | Madison Bartlett | 28 | Wing | — | 2 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 25 | 18 | 0 | 72 | — | 6 | — |
| 3 | Cheyelle Robins-Reti | 26 | Centre, Wing | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 16 | — | — | — |
| 4 | Mackenzie Wiki | 21 | Centre, Fullback | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |  3 | — |
| 5 | Shakiah Tungai | 26 | Wing, Fullback | 3 | 4 | 1 | — | 2 | 9 | 19 | 7 | 4 | 36 |  1 |  1 |  3 |
| 6 | Zahara Temara | 26 | Five-eighth, Halfback | 4 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 33 | 3 | 64 | 142 |  7 | 5 |  1  4 |
| 7 | Ashleigh Quinlan | 28 | Halfback, Centre | — | — | — | — | 6 | 9 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 8 | — | — | 1 |
| 8 | Tommaya Kelly-Sines | 28 | Prop | — | — | — | 4 | — | 7 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 |
| 9 | Chanté Temara | 22 | Hooker | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 9 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 4 | — | — | — |
| 10 | Sophie Holyman | 25 | Prop, Lock | — | — | — | — | 5 | 9 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 2 | — | — |
| 11 | Monalisa Soliola | 19 | Second-row, Lock | — | — | — | — | 5 | 8 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 16 | — | — | — |
| 12 | Elise Smith | 30 | Second-row | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| 13 | Simaima Taufa | 29 | Lock, Prop | 4 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 31 | 9 | 0 | 36 | 9 | 12 | 2 |
| 14 | Emma Barnes | 19 | Hooker | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 8 | — | — | — |
| 15 | Grace Kemp | 22 | Prop, Lock | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 4 | — | — | — |
| 16 | Kerehitina Matua | 24 | Second-row, Prop | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 4 | — | 3 | 2 |
| 17 | Tara Reinke | 24 | Prop | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| 21 | Jessica Gentle | 27 | Wing, Centre | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 8 | — | — | — |
| 20 | Ahlivia Ingram | 22 | Prop | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 |
| 19 | Alanna Dummett | 19 | Centre, Fullback | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | — | — | — |
| 18 | Ella Ryan | 20 | Centre | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| 22 | Ua Ravu | 26 | Lock | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |  5 | — |
| IS | Petesa Lio | 20 | Wing | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| – | Hollie-Mae Dodd | 20 | Second-row, Lock | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 4 | — |  8 | — |
| IS | Felice Quinlan | 25 | Centre | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
Notes:
- The following players have been signed on a Development contract for 2023
- Alanna Dummett
- Aaliyah Lomas
- Georgia Willey
- Janelle Williams
- Alanna Dummett was elevated into the main squad to replace the Felice Quinlan, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury.
- Monalisa Soliola played for New South Wales Under 19s Women in June 2022.
- Hollie Dodd played for England in the 2021 World Cup and for York Valkyrie in the Women's Super League.
- Mackenzie Wiki played for Cook Islands in the 2021 World Cup and for Mounties in the 2023 NSWRL Harvey Norman Premiership.
- Felice Quinlan played for the Burleigh Bears in the 2023 QRL BMD Premiership.
- Ella Ryan played for the NSW Waratahs Women in the 2023 Super W season.[3]
- Ahlivia Ingram played for the indigenous All Stars in February 2023.
- Petesa Lio played for Mounties in the 2023 NSWRL Harvey Norman Premiership.
- Grace Kemp has 6 caps for the Wallaroos and played for the ACT Brumbies in the 2023 Super W season.[4]
- Cheyelle Robins-Reti has 5 caps (in fifteens) for the Black Ferns (fifteens) and has also played sevens for her country. She played for Matatū in the 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki season.
The Canberra Raiders announced player signings in several instalments from late March 2023 to 24 May 2023.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]
Club Records
Player Records
Lists and tables last updated: 18 September 2023.
Most Games for the Raiders
- 10 players have played in all 9 matches.
Most Tries for the Raiders
- Madison Bartlett — 7, Cheyelle Robins-Reti — 4, Shakiah Tungai — 4.
Most Points for the Raiders (20+)
| Player | 2023 Club | M | T | G | FG | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zahara Temara | | 9 | 1 | 21 | 1 | 47 |
| Madison Bartlett | | 9 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
Most Points in a Season (16+)
| Player | Season | M | T | G | FG | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zahara Temara | 2023 | 9 | 1 | 21 | 1 | 47 |
| Madison Bartlett | 2023 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| Shakiah Tungai | 2023 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| Cheyelle Robins-Reti | 2023 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Margins and Streaks
Biggest winning margins
| Margin | Score | Opponent | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | 34—12 | North Queensland Cowboys | Cbus Super Stadium | 10 Sep 2023 |
Biggest losing margins
| Margin | Score | Opponent | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 8—40 | Brisbane Broncos | Totally Workwear Stadium | 27 Aug 2023 |
Most consecutive wins
- 4 — (29 July 2023 — 20 August 2023)
Most consecutive losses
- 2 — (27 August 2023 — 2 September 2023)
History
Women’s rugby league has been played in Canberra and surrounding districts since the late 1980s. East Canberra and Woden Valley clubs competed in the National Championships between 1990 and 1994, with several of these competitions hosted in the Australian Capital Territory.[16][17][18][19]
The National Championships switched to representative teams in 1997 and Canberra or Australian Capital Territory teams competed in several if not all years until 2003.
Canberra hosted the second-ever women’s rugby league test match in July 1995, against New Zealand.[20]
The following year, Canberra hosted a tour match and the First Test in Great Britain’s tour.[21][22]
The region again hosted the 2002 Great Britain tourists, with a tour match at Seiffert Oval, Queanbeyan. [23] The Third and deciding Test match of this series was played ahead of a Canberra Raiders match at Bruce Stadium.[24]
After a break of fifteen years, Canberra next hosted a women’s rugby league Test Match in 2017.[25]
In 2018 the Canberra Valkyries was made[26][27]
In November 2021, the Canberra Raiders announced their intent to apply for an NRLW licence.[28][29] In April 2022 the club submitted their application to enter the 2023 NRL Women’s Premiership. In June 2022 the NRL announced that the Raiders were one of four clubs accepted into the NRLW for the 2023 season.[1]
Players
The following players have appeared in NRL Women's Premiership matches for the Raiders.
Table last updated: 2 September 2023.
| Order | Player | Raiders | First Appearance | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M | T | G | FG | Pts | Game | Date | Opponent | ||
| 1 | Apii Nicholls | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks |
| 2 | Madison Bartlett | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks |
| 3 | Cheyelle Robins-Reti | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks |
| 4 | Mackenzie Wiki | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks |
| 5 | Shakiah Tungai | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks |
| 6 | Zahara Temara | 7 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 37 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks |
| 7 | Ashleigh Quinlan | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks |
| 8 | Tommaya Kelly-Sines | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks |
| 9 | Chanté Temara | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks |
| 10 | Sophie Holyman | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks |
| 11 | Monalisa Soliola | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks |
| 12 | Hollie-Mae Dodd | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks |
| 13 | Simaima Taufa | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks |
| 14 | Kerehitina Matua | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks |
| 15 | Tara Reinke | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks |
| 16 | Grace Kemp | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks |
| 17 | Emma Barnes | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks |
| 18 | Alanna Dummett | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 12 Aug 2023 | Dragons |
| 19 | Ua Ravu | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 12 Aug 2023 | Dragons |
| 20 | Elise Smith | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 20 Aug 2023 | Eels |
| 21 | Ahlivia Ingram | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 20 Aug 2023 | Eels |
| 22 | Jessica Gentle | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 27 Aug 2023 | Broncos |
| 23 | Petesa Lio | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 27 Aug 2023 | Broncos |
| 24 | Ella Ryan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 27 Aug 2023 | Broncos |
Feeder Team Seasons
The Canberra Raiders run a women's team in the Tarsha Gale Cup and have an arrangement with Mount Pritchard Mounties for the NSWRL Women's Premiership.
Tarsha Gale Cup
For Under 18 players from 2018 to 2020. Since 2021, the Cup is for Under 19 players.
| Season | Regular Season | Finals | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts | Pos | Top | Placing | |
| 2018 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 154 | 440 | 4 | 10th | 8 | — |
| 2019 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 106 | 276 | 3 | 9th | 8 | — |
| 2020 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 118 | 96 | 6 | 5th | 8 | — |
| 2021 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 128 | 168 | 7 | 7th | 6 | — |
| 2022 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 102 | 218 | 6 | 10th | 6 | — |
| 2023 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 158 | 176 | 11 | 6th | 6 | Elimination Finalist |
NSWRL Women's Premiership
| Season | Regular Season | Finals | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts | Pos | Top | Placing | |
| 2023 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 254 | 142 | 14 | 4th | 6 | Premiers[30][31] |
Members of Mounties' 2023 premiership-winning team that subsequently were included in the Raider's extended NRLW squad were: Alanna Dummett, Tommaya Kelly-Sines, Petesa Lio, Aaliyah Lomas, Kerehitina Matua, Mackenzie Wiki, Janelle Williams, and captain Simaima Taufa.[30]
References
- "NRLW Announcement". NRL. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- Twemlow, Leo (17 September 2023). "Titans end finals dream for Raiders with clinical win". NRL. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- "Ella Ryan". NSW Waratahs. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- "Grace Kemp". Wallaroos Rugby. 17 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- "Jillaroos headline Raiders first NRLW signings". Raiders.com.au. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- "Sophie Holyman and Ash Quinlan sign for 2023 NRLW". Raiders.com.au. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- "International representative duo join Raiders NRLW team". Raiders.com.au. 11 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
- "International stars highlight Raiders next NRLW signings". Raiders.com.au. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
- "Raiders add three more players to NRLW roster". Raiders.com.au. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- "Riverina talent join Raiders for inaugural NRLW season". Raiders.com.au. 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
- "Raiders add another two international representatives to NRLW squad". Raiders.com.au. 27 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- "Canberra's Ella Ryan headlines next NRLW signings". Raiders.com.au. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- "Canberra's Ahlivia Ingram headlines latest NRLW signings". Raiders.com.au. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
- "Kemp and Robins-Reti sign with Raiders NRLW team". Raiders.com.au. 17 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- "Emma Barnes signing completes Raiders NRLW top 24 squad". Raiders.com.au. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
- "Rugby League Times". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 12 July 1991. p. 28. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
- "ACT scores league title". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 14 October 1992. p. 42. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- Kirkman, Janette (26 July 1993). "Easts score 202, concede none, at club titles". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. p. 24. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- Kirkman, Janette (13 June 1994). "Picton trounce Bulli to take women's rugby league title". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. p. 24. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- Scholes, Gary (9 July 1995). "NZ men's defeat motivates women". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. p. 12. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- "1996 Aust vs GB Womens [sic] RL Test Match". YouTube. Jenny Luker. 31 October 2019 [1996]. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- Hardy, Karen (22 July 1996). "Brits pay ultimate penalty". Canberra Times. p. 25.
- "Lionesses roar against totally outclassed ACT". Canberra Times. 25 July 2002. p. 20.
- deKroo, Karl (28 July 2002). "Australian women win in tight Test". Canberra Times. Canberra: Fairfax.
- "ANZAC Test 2017: Kiwi Ferns v Jillaroos". YouTube. NZ Rugby League. 22 January 2018 [2017]. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- https://www.raiders.com.au/news/2018/02/08/raiders-unveil-valkyrie-brand/
- https://www.outincanberra.com.au/nrl-canberra-raiders-mascot-victor-viking-velda-valkyrie/
- Walter, Brad (29 November 2021). "On the Boyle: Raiders aim big as NRLW bid is launched". NRL. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- "Raiders aim for 2023 NRLW inclusion". Raiders.com.au. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
- "Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership - Grand Final". NSWRL. 29 April 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- McDonald, Margie (29 April 2023). "Mounties win epic decider with historic scoreline". NSWRL. Retrieved 10 August 2023.