When you picture the early years of NT Rugby, it’s easy to imagine a handful of blokes in footy shorts, muddy boots, and demountable sheds, piecing the game together after Cyclone Tracy. But tucked inside those stories is another, equally important chapter, the one where women decided rugby wasn’t just for the boys.
From the first tentative training sessions in the early 1990s to the strong women’s competitions we see today, the story of NT women’s rugby is one of resilience, determination, and plenty of humour along the way.
The Pioneers
The idea of women’s rugby in Darwin started as a bit of a dare. The men had their Saturday competitions, but more and more women were showing up on the sideline and thinking, “Why not us?”
By the early 1990s, women like Gail Barlow and Shelley Lingman were leading the charge. They organised training sessions, borrowed gear, and recruited mates, sisters, and even mums to fill the numbers. Sometimes they struggled to make a full side and on more than one occasion, a visiting backpacker or sister-in-law was thrown into a jersey just to get the game played.
It wasn’t glamorous. They trained with second hand balls, often at odd hours to squeeze in between junior and senior men’s sessions. The fields were rough, the facilities even rougher, and more than one team warmed up in car parks before running out. But there was determination in every step.
“Borrowed Boots and Nursery Rhymes”
One of the great legends of those early days is the nursery rhyme warm-up. When a coach forgot the training tapes and the only cassette in the car was children’s songs, the women’s team had no choice but to jog and stretch to The Wheels on the Bus. Instead of embarrassment, it became a badge of honour, proof that Territory women’s rugby would find a way, no matter how unusual.
Uniforms were another challenge. Jerseys were often too big, shorts were whatever could be found, and boots were borrowed from brothers or partners. But the mismatched look didn’t matter, what mattered was that the women were out there, playing the game, they loved.
Growing the Game
By 1993, Darwin had an official women’s competition. Souths, Casuarina, Palmerston, and University all fielded teams, and suddenly Saturdays had a whole new energy. The skill level grew quickly. What began as a novelty soon became a genuine contest, with hard tackles, quick tries, and plenty of passion.
Representative rugby followed. Territory women began pulling on NT jerseys, travelling interstate, and making their mark at national competitions. They proved that women’s rugby wasn’t just viable, it was vital.
The 1995 NT Women’s Rugby Union side was named the NT Team of the Year at that year’s NT Sports Awards after winning the Australian National Women’s Rugby Championship. NT women making their mark.
The 1990’s was an exciting time for NT Women’s rugby with 11 NT players, Carla Clay, Angie Doidge, Kerry Davis, Gail Barlow, Naomi Roberts, Jody Collier, Vicki Botterell, Melaine Goehr, Shirley Russell, Libby Andrews and Sarah Gardiner, selected to play for the Wallaroos during that decade. Cyanne Mason and Bo de la Cruz continued the excitement by winning selection in the 2000’s.
Breaking Down Barriers
It wasn’t always easy. The women often had to battle for recognition, fighting for training time, field space, and support. Some early referees admitted they weren’t sure what to expect but soon learned that the women hit just as hard, sometimes harder than the blokes.
And then there were the juggle acts. Many players were working full-time jobs, raising kids, or studying, squeezing rugby into already packed lives. More than one baby was rocked to sleep on the sideline while mum laced up her boots. It was chaotic, but it was community and it set the tone for the generations that followed.
The Legacy
Today, women’s rugby is a growth area and a strong part of NT Rugby. The pathway is clear: juniors can now grow up knowing they can play right through to senior women’s rugby, with representative opportunities along the way.
The quality of play has skyrocketed, and NT women continue to make their presence felt on bigger stages.
But the heart of the story remains with those pioneers. Women who played in oversized jerseys, who warmed up to nursery rhymes, who weren’t afraid to tackle tradition head-on. They weren’t just playing rugby; they were changing it.
Fifty Years of Progress
As NT Rugby celebrates its 50th anniversary, the growth of women’s rugby is one of its proudest achievements. What started as a handful of women asking, “why not us?” has grown into a vibrant, competitive, and essential part of the game.
The early players may laugh now at the borrowed boots and the dodgy warm-ups, but without their grit and humour, the women’s game might never have taken root. They proved that rugby in the Territory belongs to everyone.
And if you want proof, just look at Skyring Rugby Park on a Friday or Saturday today. You’ll see women running hard lines, making big tackles, and celebrating tries with the same passion as any men’s final. The game has changed and it’s all the richer for it.
Sources:
- Cramp, N (2001). Rah-Rah in the Never-Never – Women’s Rugby section (establishment in the 1990s, pioneers Gail Barlow and Shelley Lingman).
- NT Rugby recollections and club histories.
