History made with inaugural NRLW rookie camp

From building resilience techniques to the menstrual cycle, no topics were off limits at the NRLW's inaugural rookie camp over the weekend.

Around 35 of the NRLW's next crop of signed stars from all six clubs gathered near Newcastle for the two-day event hosted by the NRL's well-being and education department and the RLPA.

The first-ever rookie camp for emerging female stars had a high focus on well-being and education around life and social skills that can help shape a player both on and off the field.

With the interest in women's rugby league on the rise, the education for players at the camp is crucial for their overall career development. 

NRLW young guns Tiana Raftstrand-Smith, Jada Taylor, Sara Sautia, Tayla Predebon and Jasmine Peters were among those in attendance.

Senior NRLW players Holli Wheeler and Shontelle Stowers, Knights prop Caitlan Johnston, injured Roosters winger Brydie Parker, Broncos assistant coach Meg Ward and forward Natassja Purontakanen also spoke to the group.

The sessions included important discussion on unique topics in the game including female health, social responsibilities, financial planning, Indigenous culture, drugs in sport, morals and ethics, social media and building resilience. 

"I had a great time, I didn't know what to expect coming into it but I was blown away with the resources we had been given to us in such a short space of time," Knights recruit Tayla Predebon told NRL.com.

"There were so many different aspects of well-being that you don't really think affects your football so a lot of it being brought to our attention was amazing and there were a lot of resources to help us achieve overall and flourish.

"I found the female health side of performance really important and relatable obviously as female athletes we need to understand our cycle and when to push ourselves or when to back off a little bit.

"The financial stuff as well, now that we're beginning to get paid a little bit more that is going to become a very important aspect that we need to manage.

"How quickly the game is growing was also really insightful on the media side of things and how we manage our social media platforms. 

"It was great to be able to get to know the girls from other clubs but still represent our own and have that ability to mingle."

Shark attack survivor Brett Connellan started the camp off with his inspirational story before the players finished the camp put in real life scenarios alongside a group of talent sport actors who made them question their morals and choices. 

NRL senior wellbeing and education manager Paul Heptonstall said the game has a duty of care to prepare both young men and women for the challenges that may come their way throughout their careers.

"There's plenty of opportunities but with that will come some challenges," Heptonstall said.

"We want to see them strive in the NRLW environment but also survive because there's a lot of pressures and scrutiny. The whole idea of the camp is to prepare them for some challenges that may arise.

"The NRLW camp was a little bit more on the emotional-prepared side because the biggest challenge a lot of players face is that the expectation a lot of the time is they've just got to deal with something and then get on with it.

"Not everyone has the tools to automatically do that. I also think it's really good that we include as many ex-players or current as possible because coming from them it resonates a lot more with the younger group."