NRL announces 2023 NRLW Community Team of the Year
The National Rugby League has today announced the nominees for this year's Veronica White Medal – Woman of the Year, which recognises the efforts of an NRL player who has not only achieved on the field, but has committed time off the field to community projects.
Players have been nominated by their clubs for going above and beyond in their involvement in charity work, youth development or community support – demonstrating how they have dedicated time off the field to make a positive difference.
The 2023 Veronica White Medal – Woman of the Year nominees form the inaugural NRLW Community Team of the Year, which is proudly presented by Westpac.
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Established in 2007, the NRL Community Awards have become the most significant opportunity for our game’s unsung heroes to receive the recognition and thanks they deserve for the tireless work they do in the community. It also provides an opportunity for the NRL to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution that clubs, state leagues and both NRL and NRLW players make year on year.
The Veronica White Medal is an award that recognises the incredible contributions that so many female rugby league players are making to their local communities and beyond. Criteria for the Veronica White Medal is in line with the Ken Stephen Medal, with the eventual female recipient having demonstrated their commitment to making a difference in their local community, whilst playing rugby league at an elite level.
2023 will be the fifth instance that the Veronica White Medal – Woman of the Year has been awarded, in line with the NRLW Premiership.
See the nominees for this year's award and their community contributions below.
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2023 Veronica White Medal nominees
Brisbane Broncos – Romy Teitzel
Following in her father’s footsteps, Romy has forged her own identity on and off the field since her NRLW debut in 2020. Romy is a proud Brisbane Bronco with a passion to personify the club values of respect, mateship, compete and resilience.
Romy generously volunteers her time in numerous community initiatives and projects. As a Beyond the Broncos ambassador, Romy has visited many Queensland schools delivering powerful and inspiring workshops focusing on school attendance and participation. Passionate about education, Romy is studying to become a secondary teacher to continue to inspire and motivate students in Queensland schools.
Fan and member loyalty is valued by Romy. She enthusiastically attends player appearances, juggling these around her football and studying commitments. Speaking at a State of Origin function for a Queensland NDIS service – Let’s Go Support Services – and distributing Queensland Maroon merchandise are examples of how Romy humbly gives her time.
Romy’s leadership has encouraged more Broncos players to be involved in this organisation to help change the lives of people living with a disability.
Romy aims to inspire and excite the next generation of girls to follow their dreams, encouraging girls to be involved in the game of rugby league.
Canberra Raiders – Sophie Holyman
As a proud new Canberra Raiders addition, Sophie has already soared in her achievements on and off the field. She has a true passion to serve the local community and showcase rugby league for girls and boys. Sophie has volunteered her time at numerous school rugby league competitions – talking to the students, promoting rugby league and distributing supplies and promotional items.
Over 200 students were lucky to have Sophie run masterclass skills sessions for the Raiders School Holiday Clinics in 2023. Inspiring and encouraging this many 5 -12 year old Rugby League fans is a powerful way to encourage students to be part of the greatest game of all. Keen to make a long-lasting impact on youth, Sophie has committed her time with regular sessions with the U13 girls at Belconnen United Sharks.
Sophie is always willing to donate her time to fans and members of the club. This is evident in signing sessions where Sophie willingly stays behind after a session has ended, to ensure all fans get the opportunity to get signatures from her. While at State of Origin camp, Sophie attended numerous community signing sessions and played rugby league on the beach at Townsville as part of a fan day.
Sophie has shown a deep desire to be involved in the Raiders inclusion program- Score Raiders, a program for people with a disability who want to play rugby league. Sophie attends the weekly sessions, hands out gifts and encourages her teammates to attend.
This Tasmanian-born Canberra Raider has shown that dreams can come true, and she can make the dreams of others come true too.
North Queensland Cowboys – Tahlulah Tillett
Torres Strait Islander NRLW Indigenous All Stars star, Tahlulah Tillett, proudly wears the North Queensland Cowboys jersey as part of the inaugural NRLW team in 2023.
Although this Cowboys halfback is employed as a community ambassador, Tahlulah generously donates her time for a multitude of community engagements across Queensland in addition to this role. From supporting her Junior Club, Cairns Kangaroos, to welcoming Torres Strait Island junior rugby league teams and being part of junior clinics throughout Queensland, Tahlulah encourages junior development at grassroots level.
Tahlulah uses the game of rugby league as a platform to promote her culture, the region and its people. Teaching Indigenous dances at gala days and sharing the meaning of cultural songs and dances are just some ways Tahlulah achieves this.
Overcoming personal adversity with four consecutive knee injuries has motivated Tahlulah to use her story to inspire youth, especially females, to be brave, resilient and to persevere through challenges to achieve your dreams.
St George Illawarra Dragons – Bobbi Law
This Indigenous All Star and the Prime Minister’s XIII player is a proud Worimi woman who is pro-active with the Aboriginal Elders in the local Aboriginal community. Bobbi recognises that being an Aboriginal and female role model can influence and inspire young girls and the Aboriginal community, a responsibility Bobbi takes seriously.
Eager to make a genuine difference, Bobbi is committed to numerous Aboriginal organisations and programs, such as, Gordon Driver Licensing Program – helping Aboriginal people attain their driving license – NSW Aboriginal Safe Gambling Services, and Sista Girls – assisting Aboriginal woman in or leaving the criminal justice system.
Bobbi began her rugby league journey as an adult; therefore, Bobbi is passionately involved in grassroots programs to introduce young girls to rugby league. She gives her time to many special, local community events such as junior club visits, the Reconciliation Day High School League Tag tournament, White Ribbon Day Cup, NAIDOC celebrations, girls only clinics and school assemblies.
Bobbi is a true role model in the community who serves and inspires the community in a humble manner.
Wests Tigers – Botille Vette-Welsh
Botille is the captain of the Wests Tigers NRLW and Harvey Norman Woman’s team, and her leadership also extends off field. She has supported the Wests Tigers community programs since 2019, leading other players by example. After Botille’s season ending injury in 2022 ensured she could not play on the field, she shifted her mindset, focusing on the work she could do in the community through rugby league.
Helping youth at grassroots clubs and schools is Botille’s passion. She has led the NRLW team in community engagement hours, visiting local junior clubs and schools to promote the game and instil a confidence in school age children to follow their dreams. Botille has had a key role in the Wests Tigers Hospital Toy drive, half-time Heroes Program, school blitz’s, Wests Tigers Teach, NRL League Stars Programs, Tigers Holiday programs and Wheelchair Rugby League jersey presentation day.
Botille inspires youth beyond her local community, visiting regional areas through the Roads to Region’s campaign, Wests Tigers Picton Community Day and visiting Queensland schools during the NRL’s Magic Round. As well as donating her time, Botille has also raised money for charities such as Muscular Dystrophy NSW.
Botille strives to live out the club’s mission – to enrich the lives of the community, all with positive attitude and generous spirit.
Parramatta Eels – Shontelle Stowers
Shontelle has a calming presence and she is often approached to support younger development players of the game. Her support to younger players is inspirational. Shontelle helps female players grow in their confidence, is a sounding board for their concerns and she shares strategies for overcoming adversity.
This inspiration for younger players is also shown at grassroots level with Shontelle helping to grow rugby league through local junior club clinics on the Northern Beaches. She ensures girls’ wellbeing is also supported by volunteering in workshops for female youth.
Charities also benefit from Shontelle’s generosity. Ronald MacDonald House, Waves of Wellness Foundation, Weekend Sunrise Breathwork and Ice Baths are just some of the charities Shontelle donates her time and campaigns to raises money to support.
Immensely proud of her Pasifika and Māori culture, Shontelle has broken barriers to become the first female and Pasifika and Māori host for the NRL.com Round Up and NRLW Panel Preview, reaching out and making a difference to more youth in the wider community.
Cronulla Sharks – Jada Taylor
Jada Taylor is a proud Gamilaroi woman from Tamworth, NSW. She feels deep gratitude for the opportunities that rugby league has given her and possesses a strong willingness and desire to give back to her hometown and inspire the future generation.
The Sharks Have Heart program is an area of passion for Jada. Not only does she co-ordinate their Indigenous Program in an official capacity, delivering Deadly Choices Programs to Primary and Secondary Indigenous students in the Sutherland Shire, she also volunteers her time to other community programs. Jada has been instrumental in supporting health education for Indigenous people in the Sutherland Shire, promoting required health checks and wellbeing support.
Jada promotes Rugby League values in the Sutherland Shire and also in remote areas. Grassroots and woman in league clinics have been supported by Jada in NSW and Queensland, showcasing the importance of healthy lifestyle and exercise for women. Anti-Racism programs for Year 5 and 6 children have also been passionately delivered to numerous schools by Jada.
Teaching women about overcoming adversity and setting goals, Jada is an inspiration not only to aspiring rugby league players in Tamworth but also to any young girl pursuing their sporting dreams.
Gold Coast Titans – Stephanie Hancock
Since her Test debut for the Australian team in 2003, Stephanie has been an incredible player, role model and leader in NRLW. She is a household name and has helped promote rugby league for women, nationally.
While playing rugby league and working full time in the Queensland Police Force, Stephanie still prioritises her community work, passionately working with grassroots clubs and promoting female participation in rugby league. Through Titans game and development programs, and her own connections with junior clubs, Stephanie trains local girls’ teams and is an ambassador for the Jimboomba Thunder JRL Club.
Combining Stephanie’s passion for rugby league and her care for her community, she raised funds for drought-stricken areas of Brisbane by creating a women’s rugby league Charity match. Raising $10,000 for the community while highlighting the profile of women in sport, Stephanie became a local hero.
Stephanie’s hard work, passion and love for rugby league, on and off the field, is contagious. She leads others to help, serve and inspire the community too.
Sydney Roosters – Brydie Parker
Despite her rigorous schedule, Roosters star player Brydie Parker, shines on and off the field. Selfless with her own time, Brydie ensures she enthusiastically embraces all of Sydney Roosters community programs and initiatives.
Keen to make a positive impact at the grassroots of rugby league, Brydie passionately volunteers her time to work with junior clubs and schools through the Roads to Regions 2023 initiative and Steggles Roadshow to Griffith. Whether it is delivering health and wellbeing programs to children, meeting with school staff, conducting junior clinics or sports clinics or attending charity events, Brydie understands the positive influence athletes can have on communities.
Brydie's compassion was clear through her involvement in the Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation Sick Kids Day Campaign. She iced doughnuts, took photos, signed memorabilia but most importantly she brought genuine smiles to all. Brydie also supported the Roosters Physical Disability Rugby League Team’s tour of Allianz Stadium and player visit.
Brydie wears the tri-coloured jersey proudly as she promotes the game of rugby league enthusiastically in her community, and beyond.
Newcastle Knights – Kayla Romaniuk
Kayla is passionate about donating her time to charity, youth development and community-based projects as part of her way of giving back to the community who support her on the field. Kayla attends all the community meet and greet signing sessions, engaging with her supporters and promoting NRLW.
As well as serving her local community, Kayla is often promoting the game of rugby league in regional areas of NSW and Queensland. She participated in the Tamworth Girls Day Out, linking with other sporting codes to deliver sporting clinics to women and toured Central West region of Wellington, delivering rugby league clinics to school students.
Kayla has forged a strong bond with the Kurri Kurri Minor Rugby League Club. Donating her $5000 grant to the club, aiding in obtaining necessary training gear and helping promote junior girls' involvement at grassroots level are just some of the ways Kayla has supported the growing club. She also is seen doing the simple things, such as delivering water to the players or cheering on the sidelines – no job is too big or too small for Kayla.
Excited to recruit more girls to grassroots rugby league, Kayla was instrumental in the success of the 2023 Kurri Kurri Minor League Come and Try day. Due to Kayla’s passion and dedication to this event, these girls can also dream of a successful rugby league journey.
