What Does an NRLW Contract Really Mean? So here's NRLW Contracts explained.
- John Fadel
- Apr 27
- 6 min read
Updated: May 6
(Could There Be False Hope If You’re Not Prepared Properly?)
In this article, we will have the NRLW Contract explained
One of the biggest misconceptions in female rugby league right now is what an NRLW contract actually means.
Parents hear the words:
“Signed.”
Players post photos.
Clubs make announcements.
Social media celebrates.
But what does it really mean?
Because not every NRLW contract means your daughter has “made it.”
And if families are not prepared properly, there can be false hope.
This isn’t about taking away from players who have earned contracts.
This is about educating families on what each contract type actually means.
And why understanding the difference could save careers.
Links - NRLW Full-Time and Expansion
NRLW Contract Types Explained
For the 2026 and 2027 seasons, the NRLW squad structure is clear.
Each club has:
2026
24 Top Squad Players
2 Supplementary Players
4 Development Players
2027
24 Top Squad Players
3 Supplementary Players
3 Development Players
That’s a total squad of 30 players.
And each category means something very different.
Top 24 Players
The Top 24 is the official roster.
This is generally considered:
strongest security
best pay
first-choice system
In the eyes of most families, this is the “made it” bracket.
And in many cases, it is.
But we’ll get back to why even being in the Top 24 doesn’t always mean you’ve made it long-term.
Because careers can still disappear quickly if players are not prepared properly.
There are players who get into the Top 24 too early.
They enjoy the hype.
They enjoy the attention.
They enjoy the social media moment.
But when it comes to the crunch…
they’re not ready.
And that can end a career quickly.
Links to NRLW Home page
Supplementary Players
This is the new and important category.
In 2026:
2 supplementary players.
In 2027:
3 supplementary players.
A supplementary player is essentially next in line.
If there is an injury or a need to move someone into the main squad, they are next off the rank.
They will:
train full-time with the squad
play Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership or equivalent
be available for match-day support
provide training depth
Financially:
They earn approximately $23,000 fixed.
And if selected to play:
$2,000 per game.
This is a real opportunity.
And personally, I like this category.
Because it solves a major issue.
There are players who are almost ready.
Players we believe are close.
Players who may be physically ready…
but not ready to be thrown straight into the Top 24.
This contract says:
“We believe in you.”
“We think you’re close.”
“But we don’t need to expose you too early unless we have to.”
And that makes sense.
Especially for forwards or physically developed players who may be ready sooner.
Leading into the competition, these players can still be upgraded:
to Supplementary
or
to Top 24.
That flexibility is valuable.
But…
it is still not guaranteed.
And this is where parents misunderstand it.
Families hear:
“My daughter signed an NRLW contract.”
Yes.
But not always in the way people think.
Links to NRLW Contracting window
Development Players
Development contracts are still highly valuable.
These are generally:
future investment
young talent
long-term development
They:
train with the squad
play Tasha Gale or Harvey Norman depending on age and level
Financially:
Development players receive approximately:
$700 per week gross.
This category is designed for players earmarked as future NRLW players.
That means players generally coming through:
Lisa Fiaola
Tasha Gale
And depending on age, transitioning upward.
This is where I have strong opinions.
A development contract should not be for a 25, 26, or 27-year-old player.
That doesn’t make sense.
That’s not development.
Development means future investment.
Young players.
Long-term players.
Yet I’ve seen clubs sign older players in development roles before supplementary contracts existed.
It never made sense.
And now, with supplementary contracts introduced, it makes even less sense.
Where The Controversy Starts
This is where things get uncomfortable.
I have seen clubs:
do favours
sign players who will never be NRLW players
use politics to fill spots
And what happens next?
Those players get exposed.
Careers get damaged.
Confidence gets destroyed.
And the game gets disrespected.
You are not helping players by creating false pathways.
You are ruining careers.
And I’ve seen it happen many times.
It’s happening right now.
I’ve also seen clubs owe favours and just put names into development spots.
Ask yourself this:
Do you see players in the NRL development list who aren’t good enough to eventually play NRL?
Highly unlikely.
So why make a mockery of the NRLW system?
Why This Creates False Hope
Families celebrate publicly.
And I understand why.
That’s hope.
There are:
social media announcements
photoshoots
signing posts
But behind the scenes there may be:
no guaranteed games
no guaranteed progression
limited security
That’s where expectations become dangerous.
Not every NRLW contract means your daughter made it.
Questions Every Parent Should Ask
Before celebrating…
Ask the right questions.
Is it paid?
How much?
Are flights covered?
Is accommodation covered?
What are the upgrade opportunities?
How long is the contract?
What exactly is the role?
Because understanding the answers matters.
Why Development Matters More Than The Contract
Excel Sports were among the first to identify young international talent early and place them into the right systems.
We found players overseas and abroad and secured:
development contracts
Top 24 contracts
…while some were still in Lisa Fiaola.
That’s how early elite talent can be identified.
And in 2024, there was a team that went through undefeated after the system was adjusted and supplied with the right talent that simply needed development.
Seven international players from that system went on to secure either:
NRLW development contracts
or
Top 24 contracts.
Some of these players were already being chased by multiple clubs.
Some we deliberately kept quiet.
Because timing matters.
If You’re Not Being Developed Properly, Your Career Won’t Last
If you are not being developed properly through:
Lisa Fiaola
Tasha Gale
…then there is a strong chance your career in the game won’t last long-term.
Why?
Because hype only lasts so long.
Social media only lasts so long.
At some point, the game exposes weaknesses.
And when it comes to the crunch…
players fail.
The best way to enjoy success long-term is to earn every step.
Every minute.
Every game.
That comes through development.
What Real Development Looks Like
Real development means:
developing in Lisa Fiaola
developing in Tasha Gale
having a professional mindset
doing the extras
Players need to constantly ask:
“What are my weaknesses?”
And the goal should be:
There are none left unchecked.
Because by the time you hit NRLW…
the game is brutal.
Take kicking for example.
Kicking alone can take six months just to build a system.
NRLW is a beast.
And players need to understand that.
Why I Sometimes Say “No” To Top 24
We’ve had situations where coaches believed players were ready for Top 24.
Parents believed they were ready.
Players believed they were ready.
And I went against it.
Twice.
I advised against rushing them.
My concern wasn’t whether they could survive a year.
My concern was whether they could survive long-term.
Both players ignored the advice.
Both played one season.
Not every game.
And neither were seen again.
These are facts.
Sometimes losing one year…
is better than losing the game.
NRLW Is Not A Joke — It’s A System
NRLW is not supposed to be treated as a joke.
It is supposed to follow the NRL system.
A club is a culture.
A club is a business.
A club is who you play for in that contract.
You should be set up with a program that puts your club on the map.
Be the best in the men’s.
Be the best in the women’s.
Be the best in the boys’.
Be the best in the girls’.
Everything should be aligned.
Every pathway should be fine-tuned.
Every development system should work.
What Good Clubs Do — And What Bad Habits Can Create
Some clubs offer:
flights
accommodation
support systems
And that can help.
But it can also create bad habits.
Because what is good for one…
should be good for all.
A club should be:
one team
one culture
one system
Otherwise, hidden tensions start.
And they do exist.
Players notice.
Families notice.
Teammates notice.
And it can divide a club.
The Girls’ Game Is Different
And I’ll keep saying it.
The girls’ game is not the boys’ game.
It requires:
different coaching
different development
different understanding
Hard work matters.
Discipline matters.
Mindset matters.
Learn to love the pain of training.
Learn to love the pain of learning.
Learn the system.
Join a club that teaches you something.
Not one that gives you a free pass.
Choose The Right Club — Not The Fastest Contract
The goal shouldn’t be:
“Look, I made it.”
Because there is still a long way to go.
The goal should be:
“How do I stay here long-term?”
If you know someone in NRLW…
sit down and ask them.
Is it the same as Lisa Fiaola or Tasha Gale?
Listen carefully.
There are no friends there.
At that level, everyone is competing.
Sometimes against their best mate.
For one jersey.
That’s reality.
Why Excel Sports Is Different
This is why Excel Sports is different.
We don’t chase contracts.
We don’t chase hype.
We don’t chase headlines.
We chase careers.
It’s about:
the right contract
the right club
the right coach
the right development system
Because one wrong move can cost years.
Or cost the game completely.
Final Word
You’re better off losing a year…
than losing the game.
And that is what I fear most.
Because I’ve seen it happen.
Too many times.
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