Wests Tigers is delighted to announce the signings of three key players ahead of the club’s inaugural season in the NRLW.
Australia captain Kezie Apps, Wests Tigers club captain Botille Vette-Welsh, and former Roosters forward Sarah Togatuki are the first three players signed to Wests Tigers NRLW contracts.
Apps was a key member of Wests Tigers Premiership-winning Harvey Norman Women’s team last year and captained St George-Illawarra Dragons to their first ever NRL Women's Premiership grand final in 2019.
The Bega junior has enjoyed a stellar representative career for both Australia and NSW and was the Dally M Female Player of the Year in 2016.
Vette-Welsh is also an Australia and NSW representative who has been with Wests Tigers since the club’s inaugural season in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership in 2019.
The Māori Allstars representative is eager to get back to her scintillating best after recovering from an ACL injury, which saw her miss last year’s successful campaign in the NSW Women’s Premiership.
Togatuki is a powerful middle forward described by her former club as the ‘cornerstone of their pack’. The Auburn-born 25-year-old year old was awarded the Karen Murphy Medal as player of the match in the 2021 NRLW Grand Final.
Off the field, all three players will also be helping Wests Tigers build a strong squad of local juniors, with a focus on participation and development.
NRLW Head Coach Brett Kimmorley believes these three players will form a powerful nucleus for the club in its inaugural season.
“All three players bring a wealth of big game experience and a desire to mentor others,” said Kimmorley.
We are building well in our pathways and these ladies will be more than great players, they will be ambassadors for this club and women’s rugby league.
Brett Kimmorley
“I am delighted to have Kezie, Bo and Sarah with us in our first year, and I know our younger pathways players are equally excited.”
