Why Every NRLW Player Needs the Right Agent — And Why EXCEL Sports Is Different
- EXCEL Sports Management
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
When it comes to the NRLW, not all agents are created equal.Some simply “sign players.”Others wait for talent to magically rise.But at EXCEL Sports, our approach is very different — because we don’t just manage athletes, we build them.
For years, we have invested our time, money, resources, and expertise into developing female athletes long before they ever sign their first contract. Not one cent is charged until they reach the NRLW. That alone sets us apart from most.
This blog explains exactly why NRLW players need the right agent, and why EXCEL Sports has become the most trusted pathways agency in Australia & New Zealand.
Why NRLW Players Need the Right Agent (Not Just Any Agent) Needs the right NRLW player agent
There are agents who “dabble” in the women’s game — and then there are agencies that specialise in it.
The reality is this:
👉 The wrong agent can delay or derail a career.👉 The right agent can shorten the pathway and protect the athlete’s long-term success.
At EXCEL Sports, we are highly selective.Not every player fits our system — and we are not made for everyone.We choose athletes we genuinely believe can reach the NRLW, not athletes we hope might be good enough one day.
Our reputation is built on truth, honesty, clarity, and development.
Nofluff.
No hype.
No pretending.
How EXCEL Sports Selects Players (Reality vs Social Media Hype)
We do not sign athletes because they score tries or look good on social media.
We look for:
Raw talent
Coachability
Work ethic
Attitude under pressure
Ability to follow structure
Resilience
Family support
Mental toughness
Willingness to sacrifice
A genuine NRLW future
If an athlete has these traits, even if their skills are raw, we can build the rest.
If they lack these traits, the NRLW pathway will break them long before they get there.
We don’t waste the athlete’s time or our own.This is why our success rate in NRLW pathways is unmatched.
Club Placement — The EXCEL Sports Pathways Model
We don’t “put girls anywhere.”We place them where they will grow.
Sometimes a player needs:
🔹 A weaker team — to build confidence, take more carries, and develop leadership
🔹 A stronger team — to showcase their skill with quality players around them
🔹 A spine-specific environment (halves, fullbacks, hookers)
🔹 A forward-dominant environment (front-rowers & edges)
Every placement is thought out, strategic, and designed to accelerate their long-term development.
Case Study: Gezreyal MAIU’U — Warriors NRLW 2026 (Dev) & 2027 (Top 24)
We placed Gezreyal in a team where she would be challenged physically and mentally.She worked harder, touched the ball more, defended more — and grew faster than she ever had before.
Result?A 2026 NRLW Development Contract AND a 2027 Top 24 contract with the Warriors.
That’s no accident.That’s the model working exactly as intended.
What an NRLW Agent REALLY Does (Week to Week)
Most people think agents “talk to clubs and sign contracts.”
Here’s the truth:
I personally spend 12–16 hours a day on rugby league.Every day.
That includes:
Reviewing athlete games
Conducting 30–120 minute video reviews
Analysing fitness, effort, line speed, defensive movements, and decision-making
Running mindset sessions
Speaking with CEOs, head recruiters, coaches, and club managers
Managing issues with injuries, confidence, school, work, relationships
Checking in with parents
Developing seasonal plans
Preparing players for Tasha Gale, Harvey Norman Women’s, and NRLW
And we charge nothing until the player signs their first NRLW deal.
No one invests like this.That’s why our players succeed.
The Triangle Model — Athlete. Parent. Agent.
Most people think the relationship is:
Agent ↔ Player
Wrong
At EXCEL Sports, it is:
Agent + Parent ↔ Player
The parent plays the role of emotional support, guidance, life decisions and protecting the athlete’s wellbeing.
The agent plays the role of professional development, training standards, game understanding, and long-term pathway.
Together, both sides keep the athlete accountable — and unstoppable.
H2: Parents Can Make or Break a Career
We’ve seen everything:
Parents who coach from the sideline
Parents who argue with coaches
Parents who pressure their daughters
Parents who interfere with development plans
Parents who use the agent to get into a pathway and then pull away
Every time a parent becomes a “coach” or a “manager” instead of a parent, the athlete’s career suffers.
The players who succeed long-term are the ones whose families trust the process, communicate openly, and stay aligned with us.
Transparency builds longevity.Secrets and hidden agendas destroy it.
The EXCEL Standard — Development, Honesty, No Shortcuts with any NRLW player agent
Our job is not to “get players into teams.”Our job is to prepare them for success once they get there.
We teach consistency, effort, discipline, game IQ, resilience, and integrity.We develop athletes who:
Are NRLW-ready
Don’t crumble under expectation
Don’t fade when the pressure rises
Don’t lose their purpose
Don’t get overwhelmed by the crowd
Perform every week because their habits are elite
This is why so many of our athletes — along with their sisters and cousins — remain with us for 5+ years.
Because our system works.And families know it.
Ready to Begin the Pathway?
If you’re a parent or athlete who wants the genuine NRLW pathway, not the shortcuts, not the noise, and not the politics, then EXCEL Sports is ready to guide you.
Contact EXCEL Sports — and let’s build this the right way.