Western Sydney University to sponsor the Bulldogs Tarsha Gale Cup side

After making the Grand Final of the competition in their first year the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Tarsha Gale Cup side will next season receive support from Western Sydney University.

The Tarsha Gale Cup is an under 18's GIrls competition that last year saw the Bulldogs field a side for the first time.

The team was extremely successful and enjoyed a great run all the way through to the Grand Final before eventually losing to Penrith by 26-18.

The team was mentored by current Jillaroo, Elianna Walton, and had the talented Page McGregor named as Player of the Season.

The sponsorship by Western Sydney University will include :

- Access to Western Sydney University training facilities
- A financial contribution to cover text books for study
- Elite Athlete Program access
- An Academic and Mentoring support program
- Promotion of the squad through the University's Communications Department

Professor Denise Kirkpatrick, Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President (Academic) of the University of Western Sydney, expressed her delight at being able to support the Bulldogs squad in the 2017 Tarsha Gale Cup:
 
“This partnership is a way for the University to actively support female athletes while they are pursuing their sporting careers, as well as proactively working to ensure that they also have a career plan going forward, beyond the sporting field,” said Kirkpatrick.

Bulldogs Chairman Ray Dib was equally pleased with the partnership :

"We were delighted with the success last season of our Tarsha Gale Cup side. Women's Rugby League is vital to the ongoing development of the game and it was great to see the girls play so well and make the Grand Final in their first year. Having the support of the University of Western Sydney is another great step forward as it will help provide additional support to allow the girls involved to develop as people, both on and off the field."