Carolyn Campbell has become the first female Chair of the NSWRL but she is not resting on her laurels about that milestone being reached (photo credit: Justin Lloyd - Newspix).
The women’s game is flourishing, with a record of more than 32,000 female participants already registered across NSWRL competitions in 2025 (27 per cent of total participants), but Campbell knows Rugby League needs coaches, officials, trainers, volunteers, regardless of their gender.
“I’m a great believer in providing opportunities for everybody,” Campbell told nswrl.com.au on the eve of the NRL’s Women In League Round.
She has been on the NSWRL Board for two years and was appointed Chair in February. Joining her as a Director is Tarsha Gale, a former Jillaroo and the first NSW Women’s team captain in 1999, the first female player appointed to the NSWRL Board.
“While watching the growth of the women’s game has been a great privilege, we still need to make sure everything around the game is strong in terms of personnel and facilities so people can participate in the way they want to,” Campbell said.
“It’s how we position the sport because if we haven’t got the grounds, the referees, the coaches, the trainers, the volunteers… nothing happens.
“Unless there is a concerted effort to grow all ecosystems across the game there’s no point in just growing the numbers in the female playing space.”
Campbell brings a smorgasbord of experience in high performance and grassroots sport. She is a former captain of the Under 21s Women’s Hockey team, and manager, before embarking on a 35-year career in sports administration.
She is Chief Executive of Scouts NSW, Director of Volleyball Australia, Chair and former Director of Hockey One Pty Ltd, Director of Bankstown Sports Club Inc, and a former Chair and Director of Sport NSW. She also had executive roles with Netball NSW and Basketball Australia.
Gale’s knowledge of players and coaches within the game is second to none. Her name adorns the NSWRL trophy for the Under 19s Women’s competition, the Westpac Tarsha Gale Cup.
“The addition of Tarsha’s skillset to our Board as a former player, pioneer of the women’s game, an experienced participant and observer, is phenomenal,” Campbell said.
Gale said: “I am already relishing the opportunity to have my part in the decision-making process to grow our game.
“The Board members have a wealth of experience in different areas but they are looking at me when it comes to the playing and coaching environment.
“I will do anything to help grow our great game, not just in the women’s space, but in all areas across NSW.”
Although now a high-profile woman in Rugby League – a sport with a rich male history since 1907 - Campbell said she had received many messages from supporters both male and female.
“You can’t be what you can’t see,” she said.
“I’d like to think my time with NSWRL will have some influence on people seeing that women have a pathway to continue to climb. For me, that’s a great thing.
“I will say that this environment I work in is highly respectful. Not once do I feel like there’s any difference in the way I’m treated in Rugby League.
“Respect is high so the pressure is on me now to make sure I perform and deliver the things we need to do.”
