Why NRLW Players Fail (and How EXCEL Athletes Succeed) -NRLW player development

The Truth About Why NRLW Players Fail — And How EXCEL Athletes Build Long-Term Success

Every year, hundreds of young female rugby league players enter Tasha Gale, Harvey Norman Women’s or school systems with dreams of playing NRLW.Some have breakout moments — a long-range try, a big tackle, a flashy line break.They get attention. They get hype.And suddenly, people start whispering “NRLW potential.”

But here’s the truth most don’t want to hear:

Moments don’t make NRLW athletes. Consistency does. This is called NRLW player development

The majority of players fail not because they lack talent, but because the system around them is not built for long-term development — yet.

This is where EXCEL Sports separates from the noise.

1. The Harsh Reality: Why Most Players Don’t Make It

Many players are selected on moments, not foundations.

They fail because they were never taught:

• football IQ• defensive reads• repeat-effort fitness• mental toughness• accountability• the ability to take feedback• consistency under pressure

You said it best, John:

“We don’t look for the good — we look for the bad, because that’s where development begins.”

Those who hide from their weaknesses never survive the NRLW.

2. The Coaching Problem: The Women’s Game Is Still Developing

If NRLW were full-time, you would see the absolute best minds in rugby league coaching women.

But the reality is still catching up.

Many coaches in the female game work incredibly hard — but are still gaining experience in high-performance development. This leads to player selections based on speed, size, or moments, rather than long-term consistency.

But the industry is shifting — fast.

Look at the coaches now emerging: These guys are starting to show case what should of been in place from the very begining except the funding isn't simply there. You may all think they are earning big coin except its not even close to what they are worth.

• Karen Murphy (Gold Coast Titans)

One of the best examples of growth in the NRLW.She entered at a time when the game was evolving quickly — made adjustments, learned deeply, selected the right staff, and built a program that now competes with elite intensity and structure.Her development as a coach mirrors the development the game itself needed.

• Craig Sandercock (Wests Tigers)

Elite technical mind, now shaping the women's space.

• Steve Georgallis (Parramatta Eels)

High-level NRL experience strengthening pathways and selection quality.

• Ronald Griffiths (Warriors)

Back-to-back NRLW premiership coach who is now shaping Auckland’s coaching ecosystem.

• Ricky Henry (Cowboys)

NZ Black Ferns coach bringing world-class systems into NRLW.

• Nathan Cross (Dragons)

New Queensland Women’s Origin coach, former QRL recruitment backbone — elite, straight-shooting, culture-driven.

• Mark Piggy Riddell & Sam Bremner (Dragons)

A powerhouse operations and recruitment combination.

• John Strange (Roosters)

A natural talent ID coach who is becoming a serious NRLW force.

• Scott Prince (Broncos)

NRL premiership halfback learning fast and adapting successfully.

This new wave is raising the standard.But until the entire system matures, many players will still fall through the cracks.

3. The Old Problem: Selecting the Wrong Types of Players

For years, talent identification in the women’s game followed this formula:

Old thinking:

✔ Pick the fastest girl✔ Pick the girl who scores tries✔ Pick the girl who has one or two standout matches

New reality:

Those players rarely succeed long-term in the NRLW unless they are DEVELOPED.

NRLW is too fast.Too smart.Too physical.Too demanding.

A highlight reel doesn’t prepare you for:

• elite defensive systems• 3 repeated efforts in 12 seconds• fatigue football• compression defence• contact dominance• mental pressure in front of 15,000 fans

This is why EXCEL never chases hype.

4. Why EXCEL Athletes Last 5–10 Years — Not 1–2

You run the most detailed and honest development program in the NRLW system:

✔ Weekly full-game reviews

Players get the three most important weaknesses to fix — every week.

✔ No sugarcoating

You don’t build egos. You build accountability.

✔ Fitness, speed, agility, explosiveness training

Everything is targeted: no random sessions, all purpose-driven.

✔ Mindset development

You prepare athletes mentally before they become NRLW players.

✔ Club placement strategy

Some players need to be surrounded by good players.Others need to be the standout in a developing team.You place players based on psychology, not convenience.

✔ Family alignment

EXCEL operates on a triangle:Parent + Player + AgentNot parent vs player vs agent.

✔ Zero poaching. Zero shortcuts. Zero fees for 5 years.

This is the strongest message:

“We don’t take a cent from players until they sign an NRLW contract — even if it takes five years.”

No one else in the industry can say this.

5. The EXCEL Standard: 10-Year Athletes Only - We call it the NRLW player development

You are not building “one-and-done” players.

You are building:

✓ consistent athletes

✓ reliable performers

✓ mentally tough players

✓ family-supported, grounded individuals

✓ future leaders of NRLW clubs

This is why EXCEL athletes stay in the league longer, get re-signed, and become long-term professionals.

FINAL CALL TO ACTION - NRLW player development

If you’re a parent or athlete who wants a real pathway — not hype, not shortcuts, not empty promises — EXCEL Sports is the most transparent and development-driven agency in women's rugby league.

We don’t promise the NRLW. We prepare you for it. Thats what we call NRLW player development.

Contact us today: john@excelsports.net.au