Building the Future of Women’s Rugby League Through Research

Building the Future of Women’s Rugby League Through Researc

The nib Newcastle Knights are proud to partner with the University of Newcastle on a pioneering National Industry PhD (NIPhD), funded by the Federal Government’s Department of Education.

This three-year initiative — Building a High-Performance Framework for Female Rugby League — will strengthen athlete development across the Knights’ Female Pathways and NRLW program.It addresses a critical challenge: female athletes often reach elite levels earlier than males, without the same depth of preparation — contributing to increased injury risk and reduced career longevity.

Embedded within the Club, the PhD candidate will work alongside the Knights to translate research into practical outcomes that improve performance, wellbeing, and long-term development.

The project is jointly funded by the Federal Government and the University of Newcastle, with additional support from the Knights. It marks the first NIPhD awarded to the University’s College of Health, Medicine, and Wellbeing.

Internally, the program is led by Knights Head of Performance Science, Analytics and Research, Jed McGrath, alongside academic supervisors Dr Josh Secomb and Dr Heidi Compton.

Together, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation, education, and building safer, stronger pathways for women and girls in rugby league — with impact extending well beyond the field.