The Wests Tigers were proud to celebrate International Women’s Day, honouring the significant contribution women make across all levels of the organisation and to the game of rugby league.
The Club hosted a breakfast event dedicated to celebrating the women in our community, with a focus on connection, wellbeing and conversation.
The morning featured a panel discussion, hosted by Jo Casamento, featuring Sydney Flames WNBL Head Coach, Renae Garlepp; Sydney Swans AFLW captain, Chloe Molloy; and Zurich Head of Brand, Mel Ware.
The discussion centred around this year’s theme ‘Balance the Scales’, a commitment to ensuring every woman and girl, regardless of background or identity, is safe, heard and free to shape her own life.
The Wests Tigers continue to take a leading role in the development of women within our game, with the breakfast attended by the Club’s female staff, as well as family and friends of the both the NRL and NRLW playing groups.
Wests Tigers Head of Women’s Football, Charmain Steventon leads the Club’s women’s program and pathway, bringing a wealth of experience shaped by both elite sport and corporate leadership. A former Wallaroo who represented Australia in both XVs and 7s, Steventon understands firsthand the challenges faced by women in sport.
“I represented Australia at a time when the women’s game had very little support. That experience shaped how I see the world – the resilience, perspective and the way I approach challenges,” Steventon said.
Off the field, Steventon has spent more than two decades in senior leadership roles across organisations including NRL Touch Football, Toyota, Westpac and St.George, building expertise in people, culture and high-performance environments.
Steventon is embracing both the opportunity and responsibility that comes with her new role.
“I’m loving the challenge. It brings together what matters most to me – people, performance and helping shape the future of the women’s game.”
“Being one of the only women in this level of role in the NRL landscape is something I’m proud of, and I’m very aware of the responsibility that comes with it. It’s about showing what’s possible but also creating space for others to follow.”
Looking ahead to 2026, Steventon said the Wests Tigers are focused on building a program with strong foundations and long-term impact.
“There’s a clear focus on our people, creating an environment where players and staff feel supported, challenged and able to grow, with the right systems around them to perform consistently,” she said.
“But it’s also about more than one season. We’re building a program that develops talent, creates meaningful pathways and becomes a place people genuinely want to be part of.”
International Women’s Day also provides an opportunity to recognise the progress being made across the Club, while acknowledging the work still to come.
“International Women’s Day is a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come, but also the role we all play in continuing to build better environments for women across our game,”
“Across our Club, women now represent more than half of our workforce in key areas. That’s a reflection of what we’re building, environments where women are contributing, leading and shaping how we operate every day.”
That commitment extends directly into the Club’s NRLW program, where the focus remains on empowering athletes to succeed both on and off the field.
“It’s about creating a high-performance environment that supports, develops and empowers our athletes to be their best.”
As the Wests Tigers continue to grow their women’s program, International Women’s Day stands as a powerful reminder of the importance of representation, opportunity and leadership in shaping the future of the game.
