'Sport cuts through gender equity issues': Fanning takes on IRL women's role
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Jillaroos pioneer and NRL Hall of Famer Katrina Fanning is set to play an influential role in the development of the women's game across the globe.
Fanning, who last year became one of the first six female players inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame, has been appointed as Chair of International Rugby League's Women & Girls Advisory Group.
With 27 nations now having international women’s teams and the next two IRL Women’s World Cups to be played in 2026 and 2028, Fanning is excited about the growth of women’s rugby league.
“With the leadership that [IRL Chair] Troy Grant and other members of the IRL board have shown in the last couple of years there is now a schedule set for international matches and some infrastructure put in place to support that,” she said.
“I think having some certainty around international fixtures and the timings of World Cups really helps sponsors and governments to know what they are planning for, as well as pathways because players have something to aim for.
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2024 Hall of Fame Induction - Katrina Fanning
“We need to grow the game in a way that is sustainable and takes things forwards, and it can’t just be about Australia, New Zealand and England.
“We want to become a truly global sport, so it is important to get the timing right and think about the growth of the game universally.”
As a director of the Fred Hollows Foundation, which works to end avoidable blindness in Africa, as well as South-East Asia, the Pacific and Australian Indigenous communities, Fanning is aware of the potential for rugby league in nations such as Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda.
“I have an understanding of what infrastructure and social supports look like in Africa, for example, but also how much of a difference sport can make in those countries, particularly for women,” she said.
Sport cuts through gender equity issues better than anything else.
Fanning has a long and distinguished involvement in rugby league, pioneering the women’s game in Australia as a leading player and later becoming a highly respected administrator.
She was a member of the inaugural Australian Jillaroos team in 1995 and played 26 Tests over a 12-year period until 2007.
Among her current roles are Chair of the Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council, Canberra Raiders director and board member of the Family of League Foundation.
She was honoured in 2023 with an Officer of the Order of Australia award for distinguished service to the Indigenous community through education and health initiatives, and to sport.
During her playing career, Fanning served as President of the Australian Women's Rugby League, as well as Canberra Women's Rugby League.
A proud Wiradjuri woman, she was appointed in 2018 as Chair of the Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council, which she has served on since 2012, and joined the Canberra Raiders board in 2019.
Away from the game, Fanning has a strong background in senior leadership management.
Fanning was chosen from an impressive list of candidates to take over the role as WGAG Chair from Julia Lee, who was also a pioneer of the game as the first woman to referee a professional men’s match in 1993.
“I am absolutely delighted to have Katrina join us as Chair of the Women's and Girls Advisory Group," IRL independent director Emma Young said.
"Katrina has been an outstanding leader in rugby league and been integral in the development of the NRLW since its inception. Her comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the game will be hugely valuable in developing our sport for all women and girls.
“As Chair of the interview panel, I was delighted by the exceptionally high calibre of the applicants, and their passion for growing the development of women and girls within rugby league.”
Katrina Fanning AO
- NRL Hall of Fame inductee in 2024
- ACT Sports Hall of Fame inductee 2024
- Officer of the Order of Australia 2023 - For distinguished service to the Indigenous community through education and health initiatives, and to sport.
- Canberra Citizen of the Year 2023
- ACT Australian of the Year, 2020
- Public Service Medal for Outstanding Contribution in Indigenous Affairs, 2015
- Canberra Woman of the Year, 2014
- ACT NAIDOC Person of the Year, 2014
- Australian Jillaroos 1995-2007
- Captained NSW, ACT and Country NSW Representative teams between 1995 and 2003
Board and advisory group experience
- Canberra Raiders Board Member 2019 – present
- Chairperson Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council 2011 – 2024
- Former President Canberra and Australian Women’s Rugby League Associations
- Sport Integrity Australia Athlete Advisory Group Member 2018-2024
- Family of League Foundation Board Member 2020 – present
- Fred Hollows Foundation Board Member 2019 – present
