The Bulldogs have announced Blake Cavallaro as the club’s NRLW head coach and head of female pathways ahead of their entry into the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership in 2025.
Cavallaro boasts a wealth of experience, having spent over 12 years at the Roosters working across roles in participation, wellbeing, development, coaching talent and pathways.
Most recently he served as the head of male and female pathways for the Roosters and coached their Tarsha Gale Cup team, leading them to back-to-back undefeated premiership seasons in 2022 and 2023.
Cavallaro also coached the NSW women's under-19 team to back-to-back wins in 2021 and 2022.
“When I sat down with Gus (GM of football Phil Gould) and Adam Hartigan (GM of pathways) and learned the vision that they wanted to achieve, I knew that it was something that I wanted to be a part of," Cavallaro said.
One of the biggest things we spoke about was inclusion and the combining of the male and female programs.
Blake Cavallaro
“I am really looking forward to working with Cameron Ciraldo on aligning our programs and learning more about the rich history here at the Bulldogs.
“I just can’t wait for Round 1 and to see how the girls pull on the Bulldogs jersey and wear it with pride. I’m thrilled and looking forward to this next chapter.”
The evolution of the NRLW
Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton expressed the club’s excitement in appointing a coach with the experience and vision of Cavallaro.
"The Bulldogs are thrilled to welcome Blake to the family. With open arms, he's embraced the opportunity to lead as the club's first NRLW coach, especially during such a monumental year for us as we celebrate our 90th anniversary," he said.
"His appointment builds on our extensive history and legacy in the game as a new chapter in women’s football begins.”
Cavallaro will oversee all female pathways operations and player development throughout the upcoming NSWRL Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership season, before commencing his role as NRLW head coach in 2025.
Sky Blues winger Jaime Chapman, who went for the NSW U/19s team in 2021 and 2022 under Cavallaro said she was very excited to see her former coach join the NRLW in 2025.
"He deserves this 100 per cent. I think he's a fantastic coach and I'm excited for those Bulldogs girls that are coming through next year, they've hit the jackpot," Chapman told NRL.com on Wednesday.
"He was a great coach back then and he's done all the work and gone through the pathways so I'm very excited for him."