How NRLW Clubs Identify Future Stars (Before Everyone Else Sees Them)
- John Fadel
- Mar 9
- 9 min read
By John Fadel
Founder of Excel Sports Management
Kayla Horvat and Rihanna Petelo future NRLW pathway rugby league athletes with Excel Sports Management
How NRLW Clubs identify future stars
The Early Years of the NRLW Pathway
When people ask how clubs identify future stars in the NRLW system, the honest answer is that in the early years — many clubs simply couldn’t.
Not because they didn’t want to.
But because the female pathway barely existed.
There was a time when structured development competitions like the Lisa Fiaola Cup weren’t even established. The women’s game was still evolving, and many clubs had little experience developing female athletes.
Training environments reflected this reality.
Instead of disciplined pathway programs focused on development, structure, and earning the right to wear a representative jersey, many sessions were closer to social participation — playing touch football, having fun, and running light activities rather than building the elite habits required to progress through the pathway.
That early environment shaped recruitment.
Clubs largely selected players from within their existing club systems, but the problem was simple:
There were very few female teams.
Many girls were still playing in mixed competitions with boys, and in the few areas where female teams existed, the talent pool was extremely small.
In some cases, entire club teams would move directly into representative squads simply because there were not enough players competing for positions.
There was very little competition for spots.
And without competition, it becomes very difficult to properly identify elite potential.
When Recruitment Was Still Learning
As those early teams started competing, the results quickly exposed the gaps in recruitment and development.
Some clubs struggled badly on the field.
And when teams were consistently being beaten, it became clear that recruitment systems were not yet strong enough to identify the best talent available.
This was the reality of a new system trying to find its footing.
But while many clubs were still learning how female pathways worked, others started approaching the problem differently.
Instead of waiting for talent to appear inside club systems, they began actively searching for it.
Why Scouting Became So Important
At a time when very few people were focused on the female game, identifying future players required something different.
It required scouting.
Rather than relying on existing club structures, we went looking for talent ourselves.
We travelled to local competitions, community clubs, and junior environments looking for players who had potential but weren’t yet inside elite pathways.
Many of those players were introduced directly to clubs.
Once those athletes entered the system, recruitment started to change.
Clubs began to build around those players.
They started adding new recruits, strengthening positions, and slowly improving their squads.
Some clubs recognised the importance of stronger recruitment systems and began bringing in better coaches and better recruiters.
Others, however, remained stuck in the old model.
Why Coaching Experience Matters in Female Pathways
One of the biggest misunderstandings in the development system is the belief that coaching boys automatically translates to coaching girls.
Many clubs still believe that if someone has coached SG Ball or Jersey Flegg in the men’s system, they will automatically succeed in the female pathway.
But the reality is very different.
The women’s game has its own dynamics, development curves, and communication styles.
Adjustments need to be made.
And those adjustments take time.
Coaches entering the female pathway often believe they can immediately apply the same methods used in male competitions.
In most cases, they cannot.
It takes experience working with female athletes to properly understand how to develop them, guide them, and build systems around their strengths.
That is why the best coaches in the female pathway are usually those who have spent years working within the women’s game itself.
These coaches understand the environment.
They understand the progression of the athletes.
And they understand the patience required to build real development systems.
Building Recruitment the Right Way
Strong recruitment does not happen overnight.
It develops over time.
Clubs that succeed in the pathway system are usually those that commit to learning from their mistakes rather than constantly replacing the people responsible for development.
If a coach makes mistakes in the early years but continues to learn and adapt, that experience becomes extremely valuable.
Development pathways are built through:
• experience
• reflection
• adjustments
• long-term commitment
The clubs that recognise this are the ones that slowly build stronger recruitment and development systems.
And over time, those systems become far better at identifying future NRLW players.
The Myth Around Selection and Recruitment
One of the biggest myths surrounding female rugby league pathways is the belief that if a player is not selected, the club must have made a mistake.
Parents sometimes react by saying:
“That club doesn’t know what it’s doing.”
“That recruiter doesn’t know talent.”
But the reality is far more complex.
Many clubs operate inside local communities where they feel pressure to select players from within their own junior systems. Keeping local clubs happy is often seen as important for participation and long-term development.
And to be clear — local development does matter.
Clubs should absolutely invest in their local players.
They should build programs, create development squads, and give young athletes opportunities to grow.
That is how you build the future of the game.
But development and selection are two different things.
Just because a player is part of a local system does not automatically mean they should be selected immediately for competitions like Lisa Fiaola or Tasha Gale.
Sometimes the right pathway is development first.
Training camps.
Skill development.
Game education.
The goal is not just to select players quickly.
The goal is to prepare them properly.
Building a Strong Pathway Model
Strong pathways require balance.
A club must develop local talent while also ensuring the team has the right structure to compete and progress.
That sometimes means recruiting players from outside the immediate local system — particularly for key positions.
Every successful rugby league team relies heavily on its spine players.
These positions are critical:
• Fullback
• Five-eighth
• Halfback
• Hooker
If a club does not currently have strong local options in those positions, they may need to recruit players who can fill those roles while local talent continues developing.
Once the spine is stable, clubs can build around those players by integrating local athletes into the broader system.
This balance between recruitment and development is what allows strong programs to grow over time.
What Recruiters Actually Look For in Future NRLW Players
While many people focus on highlights or try-scoring ability, experienced recruiters often look for very different qualities.
The first is game intelligence.
Players who understand:
• positioning
• attacking shape
• defensive reads
• timing within a system
These players often stand out to experienced coaches because they understand the game beyond individual moments.
Another key trait is repeat effort.
Recruiters notice players who:
• get back to their feet quickly
• chase multiple efforts
• support teammates
• stay involved in every phase of play
These are signs of players who can handle the demands of elite competition.
Character and Coachability
Beyond physical talent, character is one of the most important traits clubs evaluate.
Recruiters often pay close attention to players who:
• listen to coaching feedback
• apply instructions week to week
• respond positively to setbacks
• respect teammates and staff
In many teams, this mindset is described simply as not “kicking rocks.”
Players who constantly complain, blame others, or lose focus during difficult moments rarely succeed long term.
Players who stay composed and keep working almost always earn respect within the system.
The Hidden Players Coaches Notice
One of the biggest misconceptions in junior rugby league is that the most visible player on the field is always the most valuable.
That is rarely the case.
Many future elite players are not the loudest players or the ones scoring the most tries.
Often, they are the players who quietly do the things that help teams win.
Coaches notice players who:
• organise teammates during defensive sets
• make smart decisions under pressure
• stay calm when momentum shifts
• defend consistently
• maintain structure in chaotic moments
Sometimes a team might lose a game by two points.
Crowds might focus on the player who scored several tries.
But experienced coaches often remember something else entirely.
They remember the player who dove on a loose ball, packed a scrum quickly, and helped the team regain control of the game.
That kind of awareness and leadership is far more valuable than a highlight moment.
Those are the players coaches talk about long after the final whistle.
And those are often the players who quietly develop into future stars.
Why Some Players Get Overlooked
One of the hardest truths in the pathway system is that sometimes players get overlooked.
The reasons vary.
Sometimes it comes down to the quality of recruitment and coaching. A good recruiter or experienced coach will tell players honestly whether they are ready for competitions like Lisa Fiaola, Tasha Gale, or Harvey Norman.
But when decisions are made by people without enough experience in the female game, the process can become inconsistent.
Instead of selecting the best-prepared players, selections may favour local familiarity or personal relationships.
That leaves families with an important question.
Do you want honesty, even if it’s difficult to hear?
Or do you want false reassurance that places a player in a competition they are not yet prepared for?
Because when a player is selected before they are ready, the reality eventually appears on the field.
They may struggle to keep up with the speed of the game.
They may miss tackles.
They may suffer repeated injuries because their body was not yet prepared for that level.
And in the end, it is the athlete who carries the emotional weight of that situation.
Honesty, even when it is tough, protects players far more than false hope.
Understanding Where You Really Stand
One of the most important steps for any developing athlete is understanding where they currently stand.
That means being honest about:
• physical development
• speed and agility
• strength and explosiveness
• nutrition and recovery
• skill development
• mental resilience
Every athlete must ask the same questions:
Am I physically prepared for this level?
Am I mentally ready to compete at this level?
Am I willing to do the extra work required to reach it?
Previous praise from coaches does not guarantee future success. What matters most is a player’s willingness to keep improving.
Athletes who succeed in the pathway system are usually the ones who stay hungry for development.
Excuses Do Not Build Pathways
There are many reasons players may initially be overlooked.
Sometimes they are playing out of position.
Sometimes they come from a poor coaching environment.
Sometimes junior teams are affected by politics or internal club dynamics.
But the athletes who eventually succeed rarely spend time focusing on those problems.
They focus on earning respect through their work.
They earn the right to be selected.
They earn the right to be noticed.
They earn the right to be chased by clubs.
Late physical development is also common in the women’s game. Some athletes are not fully recognised until they are 18 or 19 years old.
Often those players succeed because they have developed the maturity and discipline required to handle elite competition.
The Right Age to Start Taking Development Seriously
Ideally, players should begin developing strong habits early.
Around 15 years old is often when athletes start becoming more aware of what it takes to progress.
This does not mean young players must behave like professionals every moment of the day.
They should still enjoy life and experience being teenagers.
But when it comes to training and playing, focus matters.
Commitment matters.
The athletes who progress are the ones who train with purpose while still maintaining balance in their lives.
Advice for Parents and Players
Parents and players should focus on the factors that truly build long-term success.
Development environment matters.
Quality coaching matters.
Patience matters.
And above all, character matters.
Social media hype can be one of the most damaging forces in young athletes’ careers. When players are constantly told they are already stars, they often stop focusing on the work required to actually become one.
Those are the situations where athletes eventually face disappointment.
And when that happens, it becomes very difficult for parents to explain the gap between the hype and reality.
The real goal of development is not to look like a star at 16.
The real goal is to still be improving at 22.
Consistency, discipline, and long-term growth will always outperform short-term hype.
Rihanna Petelo young female rugby league athlete beginning her NRLW pathway journey with Excel Sports Management
The Excel Sports Philosophy
At Excel Sports Management, our focus has always been on honesty and development.
We believe athletes deserve to know where they truly stand and what they must improve.
Over the years we have built programs designed to help players understand the pathway clearly — through mentoring, development camps, and structured training environments.
These programs are not always easy.
Sometimes they deliver tough reality checks.
But those conversations are often what help athletes grow.
Our goal is not to create hype.
Our goal is to create competitors.
Competitors who earn their positions.
Competitors who respect the work required to reach elite levels.
Competitors who build careers based on discipline, not shortcuts.
Because in the end, success in the pathway system is not about favours or connections.
It is about preparation, character, and consistency.
And when athletes commit to that mindset, the pathway becomes much clearer.
This is why we say - EXCEL with US and Watch us WIN at EXCEL Sports
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