After a successful inaugural NRLW season, Canberra Raiders representatives will this week travel to New Zealand to deliver a series of skill clinics in schools and local clubs through the support of the Raiders Foundation.
Raiders NRLW coach Darrin Borthwick, NRLW players Simaima Taufa, Zahara Temara and Grace Kemp as well as Raiders Board Member Katrina Fanning will spend time in New Zealand visiting schools, running clinics and participating in Q and A’s to help showcase their program, players and pathways space.
For co-captain Simaima Taufa, the opportunity to go back to New Zealand and to help inspire young players was one she couldn’t pass up. Taufa has a week off before going back into Jillaroos camp to prepare for their upcoming match against the Kiwi Ferns, but said she didn’t want to miss the chance to give back to the community.
“This club means so much to me. I grew up in New Zealand, and to be able to go back and run clinics and be able to put our brand out there and to speak to young girls that would’ve never thought that this is an opportunity for them is special,” Taufa said.
“There’s no Warriors team in the NRLW but if we can inspire these young girls to do whatever they want in life whether that’s to pick up a footy and play or to be in the coaching staff or just to be a fan of our game and be a fan of the Canberra Raiders is an exciting opportunity for us girls to not only fill our cup in giving back to the community but also helping these young girls be inspired to be more than what they are capable of.”
After an outstanding debut season, Grace Kemp is also looking forward to heading over to New Zealand and to help uncover talent.
“It’s such an amazing opportunity and I think after the season we had it’s great to be able to give back to the club,” Kemp said.
“They’ve given us so much and to be able to give this opportunity everything that we’ve got and to be backed by the Foundation means a lot to us and we can’t wait to get over there and see the talent they’ve got on show.”
Raiders NRLW coach Darrin Borthwick says the chance to take both co-captains and one of the emerging stars in Grace Kemp is exciting.
“The opportunity to take a few of our NRLW players over and spread the word about our brand and what we’re doing in the pathways space is exciting,” Borthwick said.
“I’m looking forward to getting over there and spreading our brand out there and showcasing our players.”
The tour is being backed by the Raiders Foundation, with Foundation Manager Paul Walshe saying that the program is an important one to support.
“The Foundation itself has been around since 2019 and it’s about growing the ongoing success of the club both on and off the field so this is a component that the Foundation had no issue in supporting,” Walshe said.
“We think it’s going to be great for our women’s program, to continue to grow our women’s program here at the Raiders and to also make a difference to young men and women who are part of the Raiders family.”
