The Sydney Roosters' NRLW side is set to go to another level - with a brand-new high-performance headquarters to call their own. Paired with an upgraded training field, the sky is the limit for the Red White and Blue in 2024.
The Build Up
The NRLW 2024 season is fast approaching - with the Roosters pitted against the reigning Premiers in Newcastle on Thursday, July 25 - there's a certain buzz around Moore Park that has many believing.
“I’m in my fourth year coaching this side and by far it’s been the best build-up that I've been involved with," Head Coach John Strange says proudly.
“In our new facility we’ve got our new ground that we share with the NRL, it’s just been upgraded with lights and the field surface is first-class.
“That’s contributed to the excitement and the girls are really keen to rip into the pre-season. We’ve also got a large portion of players returning from last season and there’s a real desire to be better than we were last year.
“Myself and the playing group and staff are very competitive so we want to do better than we did last year - I think that’s also a contributing factor to how positive and keen the girls have been."
The addition to floodlights on Kippax Field has given the NRLW squad an opportunity to train in the east, having done a majority of training sessions at Leichhardt Oval.
Upgrades and Facilities
The Roosters have been the beneficiary of a number of upgrades and new facilities dedicated to the NRLW squad - namely usage of Kippax Lake Oval, which has now been equipped with floodlights for training after dark, aiding greatly with the squad's busy schedules.
The former office space used by the Club's commercial departments located at the Entertainment Quarter has now been fully revamped as the home of women's football, in a bid to match the standards of the NRL squad.
Team standards have been put on the steps going up to our team meeting room, so the Club itself has invested in it being a home. I think that’s a big part of why they feel valued when they walk in.
John Strange NRLW Head Coach
“Our Head of Performance, Jake Callister, has kitted out our gym to be tailored and more specific to what the girls need," Strange explained.
“The girls have got their own change room with their own names on each locker, and the Club has done an amazing job of making it feel like it’s their home.
“We’ve got an honour roll with all their numbers, representative honours are on the gym wall and you walk into the main foyer there and you’ve got the 2021 Premiership trophy which is a good reminder for what we want to achieve.
“Team standards have been put on the steps going up to our team meeting room, so the Club itself has invested in it being a home. I think that’s a big part of why they feel valued when they walk in."
Gym facilities specially designated for the NRLW squad at the entertainment quarter has not only given the side not only a renewed sense of belief, but belonging.
The Squad
Heading into the new year, the Tricolours are flush for talent across the park, with a squad balanced with Jillaroos and State of Origin representatives, pathways graduates and new faces ready to don the Red, White and Blue.
Strange suggested there will be a few shake-ups in the line up, with some notable players making some big moves.
“It’s really well-balanced. I thought last year it was too but we had some season ending injuries that affected the group at the end," he said of the side.
“It’s very similar in the way it’s balanced, and I don’t feel like we’re light in any position. We’ve got coverage if we’ve got some injuries across the board.
“There’s going to be some key players that have been at our Club for a while having positional changes as well which will be exciting for people to see."
