Applications invited to follow successful launch year of Women’s Leadership and Performance Programme

The RFL are celebrating the success of the first year of the Women's Leadership and Performance Programme – and inviting aspiring female coaches and leaders to apply to join the programme from 2022 (see link to application form below).

The Programme was launched last spring, with successful applicants including former England internationals Andrea Dobson and Kirsty Moroney, and the current York and England forward Grace Field.

"The first year of the programme has been a big success," says Richard Tunningley, the RFL's Coach Education Manager.

"It's been very rewarding for everyone involved to see the way our first cohort have developed, responding to the challenges and opportunities we have been able to offer.

"They are now ready to start to influence and take senior roles within the sport of Rugby League and the Women's game. Their hard work and commitment to the programme has seen them flourish and grow not only as coaches but future role models and leaders.

"We hope that will encourage others to come forward and apply for the programme in 2022-23. The deadline for applications is May 25, and our first Workshop is already scheduled for Warrington on June 18.

The programme will be led by Jenny Coe (Head of Performance and Wellbeing, West Ham United FC Women), Richard Tunningley and Phil Jones – the RFL's Talent Inclusion Manager. The RFL will also provide coach development support for each individual coach along with expert support sessions from outside the world of Rugby League.

Jenny Coe added: "It's a privilege to get a chance to work with the incredible women of the RFL for a second year running.

"The first year of this coach development programme provided great opportunities for female coaches to connect, share, learn and develop. 

"The feedback from coaches throughout the programme has been very positive and encouraging with some coaches finding this experience life changing. 

"It's an important opportunity for coaches who are female working in the game to have a space where they can reflect, share and make sense of their exciting and challenging world of coaching.

"We have learned so much from the first year of this programme and I am very excited to go on a journey with the new coaches as they look to explore more about what they do, why they do it and how they do it. 

"The coaches and myself are lucky to have the support of the RFL - specifically Richard Tunningley and Phil Jones - as we embark on this coach development programme for 22-23.” 

The initial group of 10 trailblazers are listed below - congratulations to them all.

To follow them, click HERE for an application form RFL Female Coach Development Programme. 

• Genna Banks
• Kirsty Crehan
• Amy Daniels
• Andrea Dobson
• Grace Field
• Martina Greenwood
• Shereen McCartney
• Kirsty Moroney
• Dawn Schofield
• Laura Wilson