The Jillaroos have vowed to honour the trailblazers who laid the foundation for the rise of women's rugby league as they celebrate their 30th anniversary during this year's Pacific Championships.
The sport has grown rapidly since the Australian side played their first Test match on July 1, 1995, an 18-14 loss to New Zealand at Lidcombe Oval.
Back then, female players were regularly disrespected and faced a battle for recognition from administrators and the wider rugby league community. Players were required to pay to represent their country while taking time off from full-time jobs.
Few could have predicted how much women's rugby league would rise in the time since, with semi-professional players now household names and participating in an elite competition.
Jillaroos co-captain Ali Brigginshaw made her Test debut in 2009 and has helped bridge the gap from the early years to the current era.
Jillaroos v Kiwi Ferns - Final, 2024
Having seen what the pioneers went through, the veteran said it's vital her side acknowledges the sacrifices past players made to lay the foundation for their current success.
"We've come such a long way since 2013 when that World Cup was won," Brigginshaw told 94ddz.com. "They've put the right support around us to make sure it's growing and I've loved the support that's there.
"I played in a time where the support wasn't there and no one spoke about the Jillaroos. Now I see Jillaroos jerseys in the streets, so we're obviously doing something right.
"It would be a special moment to be involved in the 30th year. I always do whatever I can to try and put myself in a position to make that team and savour every game I play."
Australian Jillaroos Top Tries from the Pacific Championships
The Jillaroos will open their Pacific Championships campaign against Samoa in Brisbane on Sunday October 26 before taking on New Zealand in Auckland on November 2. The top two teams will progress through to the final at CommBank Stadium on November 9.
The clash against Samoa will be the first between the two nations since 2011, a 42-14 win to Australia in Apia.
The Jillaroos recovered from a shock defeat to New Zealand in 2023 to assert their dominance at the top of the international game last year, conceding just four points across three games.
Australia also claimed a commanding victory over England in a historic Test match at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in February.
Jillaroos v England – Test Match
Jillaroos officials are deep in the planning stages to celebrate the team's 30th anniversary, with a number of initiatives in the pipeline. The side is set to commemorate the occasion with a special logo on their uniforms.
Australian coach Jess Skinner said it's important to honour the past in order to build a legacy for the future.
"A lot of women have worn that jersey and contributed to where we are today," Skinner said. "We hear stories about the 2016 team that spoke about what they wanted out of the 2017 World Cup and they wanted an NRLW competition.
"That team was pivotal in what we see today, not just in Australia but other nations as well.
What it means: Pacific Championships
"Talking to the legends of the game, especially those acknowledged at higher levels, they never envisioned this. They're so proud of where we're at and we're proud to contribute to the game at this time.
"The current playing group is focused on what the next 30 years looks like and it's an exciting time for the Jillaroos. This is a massive milestone for women's sport and women's rugby league. What we do from here is because of them so it's a big year for the jersey."
This year's Pacific Championships marks an important step on the path to the 2026 World Cup.
Australia are chasing a fourth-straight title, having held the trophy since 2013.
The 2021 Women's Rugby League World Cup Champions
Given the importance of the next 18 months, players are jostling for position in the squad and the desperation has been clear throughout the NRLW season.
"We've still got a couple of seasons to get through but it's important to continue to build and find that point of difference for the Jillaroos," Tiana Penitani Gray said. "It's such a prestigious team to be part of.
"With the strength of the NRLW, there's so many more names thrown into the mix to wear the green and gold. That's going to elevate the game, the women's game and the Australian team.
"We've picked up where the old girls left off and want to keep the jersey at the top. We want to be the best team in the world and that's our job, to be caretakers of the jersey and leave it in a good place.
"We want to take it to new heights so when the next gen steps in, they know where it is, the history of where it's been and can continue to do the same thing."
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