Competition trophies named after female players are a rarity in rugby league, but as the growth of women's sport continues, one industry manager says it's only a matter of time before women receive more recognition.
Jessica Skinner is a player-coach from country New South Wales who is so passionate about the game that she's left her teaching job to help see the sport grow — and now she's one of the few women to have her name on a trophy.
Her journey and influence in both league tag and tackle are now being honoured where it all started by the Castlereagh Rugby League club, which is kicking off its 2023 season with the Jessica Skinner Challenge Cup.
"I'm really humbled. It reminds me of my journey so far, which started within the Castlereagh area with league tag," Skinner said.
In 2015, Skinner was preparing for the inaugural Castlereagh League Tag competition as player-coach of the Trangie Magpies.
Since then, she's gone from being a PDHPE teacher and deputy principal at Trangie Central School, to being a full-time employee at the NRL helping develop the next generation of not only female and Indigenous players but also coaches.
In 2022 she helped coach the Jillaroos to World Cup success.
"I love it, it's been so rewarding," Skinner said.
Castlereagh League secretary Bryson Luff said naming the new challenge cup was an easy decision.
"I think if you read the profile of Jessica Skinner, what she's done in a short period of time [it] sort of speaks for itself," he said.
"The fact she still lives in the Castlereagh area and is doing it all from our area, it's just a marvellous example of what can be achieved while you're still in the bush."
Women in league on the rise
This year 23,000 women are playing rugby league across NSW.
NSW Rugby League's community football manager Peter Clarke says the number of participants will rise and the next five to 10 years could see more women receive recognition.
"It's great to see [Skinner] being acknowledged. She's been a pioneer, not just for league tag, but rugby league," he said.
"She's doing wonderful things, not just for women in western NSW, but across the state."
Skinner says her greatest highlight has been in the NRL's RISE program.
In her role she focuses on the Indigenous and women's game, travelling to small communities, inspiring other female players and coaches and providing pathways to the game.
"I just think people in rural and remote areas shouldn't dim their light in terms of their dreams and aspirations," Skinner said.
"I wanted to do better and wanted to become a better coach for my region, so I looked for opportunities to go and get some of that professional learning and do as many courses as I could in my own time outside work and family.
"They're the sort of things that go into it that nobody sees, it seems like it's popped out of the thin air and it's been an easy ride, but it's definitely had its ups and downs."
