Women’s rugby league was introduced to Canberra in 1991 through the efforts of local citizens. From an early February expression of interest in forming a team in the Canberra Times, a committee was formed, contact and affiliation with the ACT Rugby League was instigated and twenty minute, seven-a-side exhibition matches were held in March 1991.[11][12][13][14][15] A four team competition commenced in late May 1991, initially with nine-a-side but this became ten-a-side later in the season.[16][17] Two club teams were sent to an eight-team women's rugby league tournament in the Illawarra in mid-July, with East Canberra winning it.[18][17] On 28 July 1991, an exhibition match was played at half-time of an NSWRL men's match between the Canberra Raiders and Brisbane Broncos.[17]
A combined ACT women's team toured the North Island of New Zealand in April 1992, winning three of the four matches they played against club sides.[19] An ACT representative team was selected to play Illawarra in late August 1992.[20]
Canberra club teams competed in subsequent National Championships between 1992 and 1994, with several of these competitions hosted in the Australian Capital Territory.[21][22][23] The National Championships switched to representative teams in 1995 and Canberra or Australian Capital Territory teams competed in several if not all years until 2003.
After a break of fifteen years, Canberra next hosted a women’s rugby league Test Match in 2017.[30]
In 2018, an idea to name the future women's team as the Canberra Valkyries was explored.[31][32]
In November 2021, the Canberra Raiders announced their intent to apply for an NRLW licence.[33][34] In April 2022 the club submitted their application to enter the 2023 NRL Women’s Premiership. In June 2022 the NRL announced that the Raiders were one of four clubs accepted into the NRLW for the 2023 season.[1]
Players
The following players have appeared in NRL Women's Premiership matches for the Raiders. Table last updated: 23 September 2024.
Members of Mounties' 2023 premiership-winning team that subsequently were included in the Raider's extended NRLW squad were: Alanna Dummett, Tommaya Kelly-Sines, Petesa Lio, Aaliyah Lomas, Kerehitina Matua, Mackenzie Wiki, Janelle Williams, and captain Simaima Taufa.[35]
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