League Ahead delivers NRLW-first Female Health Expo
League Ahead was proud to unveil an NRLW-first Rookie Female Health Expo at the 2026 NRLW Rookie Camp, providing players with access to expert advice and education on key areas of women’s health.
The expo was made possible through the support of proud partners Chemist Warehouse, Neutrogena and The Female Collective, whose commitment to empowering female athletes helped bring the initiative to life.
‘The Recovery Edge’ delivered by Holly Fuda
Delivered in an interactive workshop format, the expo featured six dedicated stations led by leading female health specialists, including Jess Stoll (The Female Collective), Dr Melanie Hayman, Dr Alannah McKay, Jess Cunningham, Robyn Tyler and Holly Fuda (tude). Players rotated through each station, exploring and engaging with topics specifically relevant to female athletes such as pelvic health, breast health, menstrual and sexual health, injury prevention and nutrition for performance. The sixth station ‘The Recovery Edge’ was delivered by Holly Fuda from tude and took the players through the importance of practicing breathwork.
League Ahead NRLW Wellbeing and Education Manager Sheridan Hawkins described the expo as a key component of the Rookie Camp and an important step in ensuring the program reflects the unique needs of NRLW players.
"League Ahead is proud to have curated this year's NRLW Rookie Camp with a renewed emphasis on female health and wellbeing, in direct response to player feedback. The NRLW Rookie Female Health Expo was a cornerstone of this commitment, bringing together an incredible group of female health experts, researchers and practitioners. Their generosity in sharing their knowledge and experience created an engaging and empowering environment for players to deepen their understanding of their health and build confidence in seeking support throughout their careers.”
NRLW Rookies with Chemist Warehouse Gift Bags
Hawkins also acknowledged the valuable contribution of Chemist Warehouse, Neutrogena and The Female Collective, whose support of female sport has been vital to forming these initiatives. “This initiative wouldn’t be possible without the support of Chemist Warehouse, Neutrogena and The Female Collective. As the NRLW competition continues to grow, wellbeing and education support for female athletes is becoming more important than ever. It is through partnerships like these that we are able to deliver game-changing programs that empower and support the next generation of female players.”
Reflecting on the experience, many players spoke about the impact of the expo and the practical knowledge they gained throughout the sessions.
“Information about female health is becoming a lot more [critical] these days and I think it is really important to learn about,” said Rhemy Hinckesman from Brisbane Broncos.
Through initiatives such as the NRLW Rookie Female Health Expo, League Ahead aims to equip female athletes with the knowledge, resources and support they need from the very beginning of their elite sporting careers, helping them thrive both on and off the field.
