The NSWRL Board has this week confirmed the reappointment of Kylie Hilder as coach of the Harvey Norman NSW Sky Blues Women’s Origin team.
Hilder made history this year as the first female to be appointed to a major coaching position in NSWRL since its inception in 1907.
Hilder retired last year after a distinguished career which saw her win the Origin Shield in 2019 and back-to-back premierships with CRL Newcastle (2019) and Central Coast Roosters (2020) in the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership.
Hilder said: “I am really grateful to the Board and to CEO David Trodden for backing me and giving me the opportunity to coach at this level for a second year.
“I am incredibly passionate about NSW and how much the success of this team can mean to the Rugby League community and wider community in general.
“I am confident of what this group can achieve in 2022, given the current pool of elite players and the emerging talent in our pathways programs.”
Harvey Norman CEO Katie Page congratulated Hilder on her reappointment who she said was unequivocally the right person for the role.
“Kylie has demonstrated her coaching prowess since her original appointment,” Page said.
“If the women’s game is to continue to expand and excel it needs to ensure the opportunities exist for women within the coaching and development ranks to increase the depth of talent.
“Retaining the experience and expertise of Kylie is an essential component to lifting the overall standard of the game at the elite level and will inspire other elite players to envisage a career in Rugby League beyond retirement from playing.”
