Australia’s maiden Jillaroos captain Natalie Dwyer will headline the first-ever class of women’s players to be inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame.
Officials confirmed on Thursday six women will enter the league’s Hall of Fame, in an historic move for the game.
Dwyer will be the first officially inducted, along with Katrina Fanning, Tarsha Gale, Veronica White, Karyn Murphy and Tahnee Norris.
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“This class includes some of the great trailblazers of women’s rugby league,” ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said.
“They all significantly helped to put women’s Rugby League is in the strong position it is today.”
The group represents the NRL’s first pick of players from prior to the start of the semi-professional NRLW era.
Dwyer was Australia’s captain for their maiden Test in 1995 against New Zealand and went on to play 26 matches for the Jillaroos.
Fanning and Gale were also part of that inaugural Jillaroos side and each remain among the highest-profile and most influential figures in the women’s game.
Murphy is one of the most influential people in rugby league with the 28-Test Jillaroo having long sat as the head of the integrity unit before taking Gold Coast to last year’s NRLW grand final.
Norris played 33 Tests for Australia before making a name for herself as Queensland’s State of Origin coach, while White featured in 17 Tests.
“Women’s rugby league is as popular as it is now because of the efforts of the inductees,” V’landys added.
“Each of them has also continued to play a significant role in the game after retirement.
“With the NRLW and women’s game flying, it is critical as a game that we pay tribute to those who have dug the well.”
The group’s rise to Hall of Fame status comes after the NRL previously announced 11 men’s players, two referees, two administrators, two coaches and two broadcasters in recent weeks.
Each of the group will be officially inducted next Wednesday night, when the game’s 14th Immortal is also revealed.