Erin Rowe was the winner of the 2014 Harvey Norman Women in League Achievement award and continues to be an advocate for rugby league in South Australia.
With this season's Harvey Norman Women in League Round taking place in Round 10, NRL.com caught up with Erin to see how things have changed since winning the award.
Being from Adelaide, Erin was introduced to the game by her rugby league-loving partner and went on to become a dedicated and committed face in South Australian Rugby League.
"My partner was born in Sydney and rugby league is in his blood. He passed it on to me and now I have kids who play as well," Erin said.
"When I first got involved I was a mother on the sideline and in the canteen but have since become club registrar, coached the little kids and am team manager for most of the grades we have in our club.
"I coach the Under 8s and am team manager for the 8s, 10s, 12s, 14s, 16s and the seniors."
Erin's club, the Woodville Panthers, is one of eight rugby league clubs in South Australia. She has been working on organising interstate tours for some of the junior teams.
"We're hoping to take a team to Broken Hill to play a club there," Erin said.
"Most of the kids here have never been out of South Australia so that will be a good challenge for them."
Winning the Harvey Norman Women in League Achievement award was a shock to Erin, but is recognition that was thoroughly deserved. She believes the greatest feeling that comes from rugby league is watching children enjoy themselves as they participate in a healthy and positive activity.
"It's an honour. A great honour," Erin said of the award.
"I was a bit surprised that someone from a backwater state could win a prestigious award like that.
"Women bring a motherly feel to any club – they need to be there."
While the game continues to grow its reach across the nation with an increase in live games on free-to-air television, things are still tough for a rugby league fan in Adelaide.
"It's quite hard actually! You're up until midnight on a Friday night to watch a game of footy here," Erin said.
"But you sacrifice the next day's sleep just to stay up and watch it."
