Jillaroos coach Brad Donald predicts between 80-100 players who take part in the Harvey Norman National Championships could be lining up for NRLW clubs later this season.
With the ARL Commission discussing the possibility of expanding the competition to six teams in 2021, officials at NRLW clubs will be on the lookout for the game's next crop of talent at the four-day tournament in Redcliffe next week.
Around 300 players from across Australia will travel to Queensland in a bid to showcase their skills in an event that will be split into two competitions - an under 19s and an open age group.
Several changes to this year's format will see a heavy focus on the under 19s program, in line with the national pathways system, which will help fast-track and identify players to the big stage.
"A number of players who play at these Championships are going to find themselves getting a tap on the shoulder to play for an NRLW club this year which is really exciting," Donald told NRL.com.
"They could do exactly what a Julia Robinson has done in the past and find themselves running around in the NRLW in a couple of months' time after having a good performance at these Championships.
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"Adding to that, it's a key event as part of building the women's pathway.
"Every one of these girls who will play has had some physical testing done so we can really gather some data from here on the next group who makes their way to the NRLW.
"That's going to help us make future decisions around the game, the intensity, the rules, and more expansion."
Robinson, who will be part of the Australian Defence Force coaching staff for the tournament, burst onto the scene by using the Championships in 2018 after previously spending time in rugby union.
The 23-year-old went from a virtual unknown to a Jillaroos representative within 12 months.
"I've been reminding the girls of how much of an opportunity it is for players who haven't had much of a chance in the past to be recognised," Robinson said.
"We have a lot of girls playing in the BHP competition in Queensland and in NSW coming through so there's a lot of great talent. It will be exciting to see who gets picked up or recognised by NRLW clubs this year."
The Harvey Norman National Championships matches will be live-streamed on NRL.com with the schedule and squad lists listed below.
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Schedule
Day 1 (Thursday, May 20)
Opens (20 min game)
- 9:30am - South Australia v Northern Territory
- 10:00am - Northern Territory v First Nation's Gems
- 10:30am - Victoria v First Nations Gems
- 11:00am - Victoria v Australian Defence Force
- 11:30am - Western Australia v Australian Defence Force
Under 19s (2 x 20min halves)
- 12:00pm - NSWRL City v Victoria
- 1:00pm - QRL Sapphires v Western Australia
- 2:00pm - QRL Rubys v South Australia
- 3:00pm - NSWRL Country v Northern Territory
Day 2 (Friday, May 21)
Opens (20 min game)
- 9:30am - First Nations Gems v Australian Defence Force
- 10:00am - First Nations Gems v Western Australia
- 10:30am - South Australia v Western Australia
- 11:00am - South Australia v Victoria
- 11:30am - Northern Territory v Victoria
Under 19s (2 x 20min halves)
- 12:00pm - QRL Sapphires v Victoria
- 1:00pm - NSWRL City v Western Australia
- 2:00pm - QRL Rubys v Northern Territory
- 3:00pm - NSWRL Country v South Australia
Day 3 (Saturday, May 22)
Opens (20 min game)
- 9:30am - Victoria v Western Australia
- 10:00am - Northern Territory v Western Australia
- 10:30am - Northern Territory v Australian Defence Force
- 11:00am - South Australia v Australian Defence Force
- 11:30am - South Australia v First Nations Gems
Under 19s (2 x 20min halves)
- 12:00pm - QRL Sapphires v NSWRL City
- 1:00pm - Western Australia v Victoria
- 2:00pm - QRL Rubys v NSWRL Country
- 3:00pm - South Australia v Northern Territory
Day 4 (Sunday, May 23) - finals
Under 19s (2x 20 min halves)
- 10:00am - 3rd (Pool A) v 3rd (Pool B) - Moreton Daily Stadium
- 11am - 2nd (Pool A) v 2nd (Pool B) - Moreton Daily Stadium
- 12pm - 4th (Pool A) v 4th (Pool B) - Dolphin's Field 1
- 1:15pm - 1st (Pool A) v 1st (Pool B) - Moreton Daily Stadium
Opens (2x 20 min halves)
- 10:00am - 5th v 6th - Dolphin's Field 1
- 11:00am - 3rd v 4th - Dolphin's Field 1
- 12:00pm - 1st v 2nd - Moreton Daily Stadium
Squads - Opens
Australian Defence Force: Lauren Dam, Cassidy Morley, Karri Thomas, Amanda Thomas, Michelle Vocea, Shannon Evans, Brittany Bugden, Ashlee Makim, Ebony Allsopp, Mardi Longford, Alison Dennis, Kirsten Wilson, Kiara Hawkins, Hannah Coel, Brielle Lovekin, Rachel Neil, Amber Baldwin, Chloe Callaghan, Molly Cooper, Paris Sinclair. Coach: Cory Lahz.
First Nations Gems: Stacey Markham, Brittany Constable, Robyn Draper, Nickita Kirby, Kiya Simon, Akira Kelly, Brooke Tongalea, Tazmyne Luschwitz, Kyra Simon, Ataliah Love, Tawana Sullivan Togo, Lacey Hickson, Rikka Lamb, Takiyah Nagas, Naomi Clayton, Nickolle Kirby, Tymekqwa Duckett, Janaya Trapman, Karri Williams, Madyson Tooth. Coach: Jessica Skinner.
Northern Territory: Tashara Cahill-Davern, Tiarna Hansen, Shari Togo, Kagui (Debbie) Gimini, Genna Stiles, Jordan Ah Sam, Calista Boyd, Ruti Faatoafe, Brittany Kassman, Melody Wehipeihana, Jade Jones-Cubillo, Bianca Stokes, Bianca Scrymgour-Napatali, Alysia Bader, Yasmin Isaac, Ivana Schober, Tedisha Bush, Sarah O'Connor, Michaella Roberts, Joanna Faatoafe. Coach: Leon Cleal
South Australia: Cassie Ormsby, Tessa Wesson, Alicia Pienaar, Milli Gentle, Samantha Wayland, Zahn Anthony, Lauren Kildare, Tashara Wilson, Sophie Mclure, Laura Helbig, Kate Hinds, Tori Johns, Courtney Plowman, Hayley Hill, Georgia Dimasi, Kate McAuliffe, Djkeera O'Brien, Adele Cooper, Schehera Broderick, Keiren O'Dell. Coach: Max Bourke.
Victoria: Maeghan Ridder, Chloe Moyse, Beauty Mauafu – Autalaga, Georgina Uti, Heaven-Leigh Dakartis, Brooke Walker, Fa'atulia Pula, Shahana Te Tomo, Georgina Moana, Shaquille - Rashal Kaleopa Faiva, Jean-Shannel Robati, Jayne Kareroa, Pamela Bowden O' Leary, Maleyna Hunapo, Nikita Gentle, Tiana Kani, Viena Seumanufagai, T'keyah Leong-Thompson, Leeanne Tuai, Tasheena Toamau. Coach: Arana Tapea.
Western Australia: Elle Warren, Tiarne Barnett, Ariana Hira, Rheanna Quan, Mariah Bell, Juraea Turner, Kailey Thompson, Claudia Foster, Mahinarangi Clair, Chanelle Edwards, Te Rauhina Wall, Melissa Thomas, Anneka Stephens, Michaela Turner-Wallace, Cherysh Leaf, Sera Ravatudei, Tessah Roache, Xanthe Gray, Heather Matoe, Tui Cope. Coach: Brad Costello.
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Squads - Under 19s
NSW City: Andie Robinson, Maddie Binding, Jessica Whelan, Luisa Yaranamua, Zali Hopkins, Fatafehi Hanisi, Rueben Cherrington, Losalio Sita Payne, Ryshe Faamausili, Tegan Dymock, Anneka Wilson, Leilani Wilson, Jessica Kennedy, Ebony Prior, Iesha Duckett, Ruby-Jean Kennard, Cassey Tohi-Hiku, Hope Tevaga, Folau Vaki, Zoe Cass. Coach: Kate Mullaly.
NSW Country: Teagan Berry, Charlize Lloyd-Phillips, Keele Browne, Jordyn Preston, Alyssa Shoulders, Keeley Kopara, Matilda Jones, Kyhamoana Tevi-Fuimaono, Taneka Todhunter, Rose Lina Tau, Bree Chester, Chantel Tugaga, Ula-Mari Time-Cribb, Sophie Clancy, Lily Baker, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Tayla Montgomery, Tylah Vallance, Ruby Smith, Tiana Kore. Coach: Alicia-Kate Hawke.
Queensland Rubys: Abelee Stanley, April Ngatupuna, Chelsea Campbell, Clarissa Baira, Courtney-Lee Nolan, Georgina Tuitaalili, Indee Brown, Jazmon Tupou-Witchman, Jetaya Faifua, Jordii Mahendrarajah, Jayda Lole, Lillian Kolb, Sara Sautia, Sierra Maple, Skye Girard, Maddison Riedy-Brown, Tiana Raftstrand-Smith, Traevonnah Fisher, Tyesha Mikaio, Zoe Cook. Coach: Roy Leoni.
Queensland Sapphires: Aria Hudson-Davies, Baylee Davies, Courtney Tamati, Destiny Brill, Ebony Laing, Emmanita Paki, Faith Tutauha, Fiona Jahnke, Hannah Larsson, Hannah Sorensen, India MacPhee, Jada Ferguson, Jayda Lofipo, Jasmine Peters, Keilee Joseph, Makenzie Weale, Nakita Sao, Oshanis Whakatau, Sera Koroi, Tiamo Williams. Coach: Gavin Lloyd.
Northern Territory: Shanoah Leedie, Rias Alviani, Kiera Kurnoth, Nanise Vakacavu, Ashlee Gilder, Kiana Toy, Talia Corrie, Ciara Aigea, Letoya McCoy, Rease Casey, Tylah Kingdon, Michala Shaw, Ellisa Niki, Erica Kurnoth, Cheyenne Frickmann, Taylah Rogers, Brooklyn Johnston, Toya Norris, Eve Genders, Jacquiline Manirakiza. Coach: Megan Clohesy.
South Australia: Ella Christie, Isabella Carroll, Tahlia North, Brooke Ridley, Audrey Holt, Kaitlin Chapman, Grace Bridge, Pamelarose Francis, Claire Ferguson, Ann Marie Tehuna Davidson, Siobhan Monaghan, Tyra-Lee Te Huna, Jaimee McCulla, Kavitha Anandasivam, Lauren Nguyen, Teliya Heraraka, Willow-Anne Ralston, Kimberley Craggs, Chloe Buttigieg, Kennedy Harrison-Vahu. Coach: Kelso McEwan.
Victoria: Chantelle Latu, Liupapa Tuuaga, Valerie Ioane, Melanie Moapati, Phoenix Mahakitau-Daniel, Mena Layfield, Monica Moore, Xysian Pakota, Heavenly Kidwell, Tersia Lemuaga-Nafatali, Sarah Gialanze, Grace Tuivaiti, Jule Tanuvasa, Halle Braybon, Summah Mauafa-Autalaga, Claudia Ghunaim, Savona Talau-Burgess, Ariana Matue, Jamaica Koka-Sonsene. Coach: Ali Tuai
Western Australia: Alesha Foster, Gabrielle Canicosa, Charmondelae Whaanga, Emysen Robinson, Dion Morgan, Tiana Graham, Nina Rutene, Adalaide Faamausili Fala, Ariana Ruru-Hinaki, Ngaroria McLeod-Cassidy, Nicole Ledington, Kyarn Paekau, Brianna Young, Hineriu Thompson, Georgia Midson, Aliyah Grey, Nikita Maki, Santana Glassie, Tehani Tairea, Naomi Kamizona-Heke. Coach: Daniel Manning.
The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of the NRL, ARLC, NRL clubs or state associations.