Westpac NSW Blues Women's squad named for Origin I

Westpac NSW Blues Women’s coach John Strange has named four debutants in his 20-player squad to face Queensland for Game One of the 2025 State of Origin series on Thursday 1 May at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

The four new faces are Abbi Church (Parramatta Eels), Jayme Fressard (Sydney Roosters), Ellie Johnston (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), and Jocelyn Kelleher (Sydney Roosters), while four players are returning to the Origin arena after being part of earlier campaigns.

Kennedy Cherrington (Parramatta Eels), Shaylee Bent (Gold Coast Titans), and Jesse Southwell (Newcastle Knights) last played Origin in 2023. Kirra Dibb (North Queensland Cowboys) played in the 2022 winning side although she was on the extended bench in 2024.

The team will be captained by Isabelle Kelly (Sydney Roosters) with Tiana Penitani Gray (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks) named as vice-captain.

It includes 11 players from the 2024 Westpac NSW Blues Women’s side, which lost the series 2-1 to the Maroons, and nine Jillaroos from the team that beat England in Las Vegas in February.

The squad was announced today by NSWRL Chair Carolyn Campbell at a special function for the players and their families at the Sydney Opera House. They will begin their week-long Game One camp tomorrow at Sydney Olympic Park.

Westpac NSW Blues Women's coach John Strange said: “Having the six-week training block was a great opportunity to get to know all the players and see how they combined and worked together.

“All 30 players were outstanding over this period making it a very difficult decision to cut the squad down to 20.

“The players who are selected for Game One certainly have earned their position and I can’t wait for them to take the field on 1 May.”

All three women’s games will be played in May, a fortnight apart, with Game Two to be played at Sydney's Allianz Stadium on Thursday 15 May and Game Three in Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday 29 May.

The Maroons currently hold the honours 4-3 since the Interstate Challenge was given Origin status in 2018, winning the Shield in 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024, while the Blues won in 2018, 2019 and 2022.

One of the features of today’s event was a fly-over from a Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service aircraft as the valuable community service will again benefit from this year’s Men’s and Women’s State of Origin series.

Last year Westpac donated $5,000 for every try scored by the NSW Blues in both the men’s and women’s series. A total of 17 tries were scored and $85,000 was raised.

Jeff Hurdis, Westpac’s State General Manager Commercial Banking, NSW, said: “Bringing our partnerships with NSW Rugby League and the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service together in this manner is something all of us at Westpac are incredibly proud of.

“Rugby League is a central part of so many households and communities across NSW, and I know Blues fans will be cheering extra loudly now they know that every try scored helps keep the iconic chopper in the air.

“Good luck to the Westpac NSW Blues and Westpac NSW Blues Women for the series ahead!”

2025 WESTPAC NSW BLUES WOMEN’S SQUAD (in alphabetical order)
Game One, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Thursday 1 May
Kezie Apps (Wests Tigers), Shaylee Bent (Gold Coast Titans), Jaime Chapman (Gold Coast Titans), Kennedy Cherrington (Parramatta Eels), Abbi Church (Parramatta Eels), Yasmin Clydsdale (Newcastle Knights), Keeley Davis (Sydney Roosters), Kirra Dibb (North Queensland Cowboys), Jayme Fressard (Sydney Roosters), Olivia Higgins (Newcastle Knights), Ellie Johnston (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Jocelyn Kelleher (Sydney Roosters), Isabelle Kelly (Sydney Roosters), Olivia Kernick (Sydney Roosters), Tiana Penitani Gray (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Jessica Sergis (Sydney Roosters), Jesse Southwell (Newcastle Knights), Simaima Taufa (Canberra Raiders), Sarah Togatuki (Wests Tigers), Emma Verran (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks). Coach: John Strange