“Rugby League is now quite rightly an elite sport internationally for both men and women and it was crucial for our club to have a full-time women’s team to provide a legitimate pathway for North Queenslanders to the elite sporting arena.” North Queensland Toyota Cowboys CEO, Jeff Reibel
And just like that, a new era has dawned for the North Queensland Cowboys. With their bid successful, from 2023 the club's NRLW side will be part of a 10-team competition that will kick off in August next year.
The dream of establishing a Cowboys NRLW team started back in 2018 when the idea was first raised and since that time the club has spared no resources in creating a genuine playing pathway to support young girls and women who play the game in North Queensland and the surrounding regions.
In a touching tribute to the history of the club and the new direction it is about to embark on, the graphics and video compilation used for the momentous announcement, include two daughters of former Cowboys great, Antonio Winterstein, Harlen, 8, and Novah, 6. In a full-circle moment, Antonio, who played 167 games for the club, says seeing his young daughters in the Cowboys kit hit home just how significant this announcement was.
“I have a sense of pride and satisfaction knowing that they want to play the game. It is a very proud moment to see them aspire to represent the region that I once did.”
Antonio acknowledges the Cowboys NRLW team starts a new chapter for the club, and it is one he is looking forward to watching unfold, not just for the local ability that will be found and rewarded, but for the unearthed talent that undoubtedly lies further afield.
“Given the footprint that the Cowboys represent, it stretches all the way out to the Torres Strait Islands and Papua New Guinea…this is a pathway for them as well. This will inspire young girls and women from those remote communities to aspire to play in a professional competition and they certainly have the ability to do it”, he said.
“We see girls travel down for the Gorden Tallis Cup and the Laurie Spina Shield, there is certainly some talent out there. The announcement of the Cowboys NRLW team certainly creates a pathway for them.”
Speaking about the investment that the club has made in the women's game over the past five years, the former Cowboys winger agrees that taking a longer road to ensure the pathway was both clear and established was the right call to guarantee the success and growth of their NRLW team.
“This has been at the back of the club’s mind for many years. They certainly knew the talent that surrounds the region and they wanted to make sure that the time was right. One thing I love about the club is that once they find something that works, they share that with the neighbouring communities and the regions. They have identified the pathway for young women and girls, but they wanted to bide their time and be patient so that when they did announce it, it was a product that was going to work. I am really excited to see the talent we pull through next year and in the future.”
Antonio’s partner, Brooke, who has also been a part of the rugby league landscape in North Queensland for many years, shared her thoughts on the announcement. As a mother of two young girls who play the game, she agrees this is a wonderful step forward not only for the sport but for all women and young girls that the Cowboys footprint captures.
“Honestly, it is such an incredible moment to see this happen for the girls and young women of North Queensland. Being able to see their own playing in our colours up here in North Queensland, it is truly special," Brooke Winterstein said.
“The supporters up here in North Queensland are so passionate about the sport, so to now have that extra team to cheer for, everyone is ecstatic. I think that 2023 is definitely going to be an exciting one for rugby league.”
The club released a striking image with the announcement that shows Gold Stars Captain, Romy Teitzel, leading Harlen and Novah, hand in hand down the tunnel of Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Above them sits the nostalgic club sign with the words ‘You are now entering Cowboys Country.’ The image clearly depicts the immediate future of the club and the next generation of young girls who will follow in the footsteps that are about to be taken.
It's time for a new chapter to begin
Talking about that powerful image Brooke reflected upon seeing the image for the first time and all that it represents.
“I took the girls to do the photo shoot and sat behind the scenes watching it all unfold and I had goosebumps all afternoon. I came home and showed the images to Antonio and his younger brother, who was emotional seeing those pictures. Even now I watch the video and look at the photo day after day and it still makes me very emotional," said Brooke.
“We are parents of daughters and regardless of gender, they are our legacy. They are Antonio’s legacy, and if they choose to follow in those footsteps and if they run onto the field with ‘Winterstein’ on their backs one day, it is a ‘Move over Dad, we’ve got this’ kind of moment, which would be really special.
“Harlen has that natural footwork. When she is in dummy half especially, she has some really natural instincts coming about. She is gravitating towards the number nine [jersey]. She loves pulling a big step out of nowhere.”
Antonio is confident that the current members and fans of the Cowboys club will turn out in numbers to support this team with the same passion that they have supported the men’s team since the club’s inception in 1995 and that the inclusion of a Cowboys NRLW team will also usher in a new generation of fans.
“I think support for this team started when it was announced. The town will certainly get behind it and I have no doubt that we will now see more and more females coming through the junior competitions as well and follow the pathway that my daughters are taking.
“It is the start of something special and we are grateful to be around to witness it.”
