Penrith Panthers Make Historic Entry into NSW Women’s Premiership

The Penrith Panthers have officially taken the field in the 2025 Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership, marking their debut in New South Wales’ top-tier competition for open-age female rugby league players.

What was once the only pathway for women in the game has evolved into a full second-tier system, now serving as a feeder program for the NRLW. From the Lisa Fiaola Cup to Tarsha Gale, Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership, and the NRLW itself, the structure now offers a complete progression from juniors to the elite level. For Penrith, this debut creates a crucial reason for female athletes to stay within the club’s system rather than leaving for rival teams.

The 2025 season features 12 clubs, including the newly added Panthers, and will run across 11 rounds. In line with the NRLW calendar, the competition begins later in the year than previous seasons, shifting from a February start to a mid-year launch. The timing is fitting. Female participation in rugby league is surging. Across the NSWRL, almost 33,500 women are registered for the 2025 season, a 14% increase from last year, now making up 27% of the league’s total playing base. Within the Panthers’ district, the growth is even stronger, with female participation rising by 23% to 1,995 registered players.

The inaugural squad is led by Karen Stuart, an Australian and Queensland representative with a decorated career as both player and coach. Stuart’s experience brings immediate credibility, but her vision is focused on building something lasting. Before the season began, she put every player through a six-week training block before forming squads to ensure an even, competitive 15-week competition.

“I’m extremely excited to be joining the Panthers for the historic PRLW competition,” Stuart said. “I chose to come to Panthers because of the investment the club is willing to make in the women’s game. It’s an exciting time for women’s rugby league and there are opportunities everywhere. This competition is a building block for the Panthers to prepare for a future NRLW team, and it is a great opportunity for young women to develop as rugby league players.”

The Panthers wasted no time making history. In their first ever match on July 6, they defeated the Central Coast Roosters 22 to 14. By round six, the side sat ninth on the ladder with one win, one draw, and four losses. For a first year squad, it is a foundation to build on and a clear step toward the ultimate goal of securing an NRLW licence for Penrith.

The jersey may be new, but the intent is already clear. The Panthers are here to stay, and the seeds for their women’s program have been planted. The next chapter is only just beginning.