The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are proud to announce the Club’s newest NRLW signing, Latisha Smythe - who will become the first female player to progress from the Canterbury-Bankstown District Junior Rugby League through to the NRLW.
In another historic announcement for the Club, Smythe represents the first female player to graduate from the junior district to make a full completion through the Bulldogs Academy system and reach the competition’s elite level.
The proud Greenacre Tigers junior has risen through the Bulldogs representative pathways at a meteoric rate. Her uncompromising form saw her awarded the Bulldogs 2023 Tarsha Gale Cup Coaches’ Award before making her representative debut for NSW in the Under 19s State of Origin arena later that year.
Smythe’s legacy in the Blue and White has continued in 2024 as Co-Captain of the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership side, and the inspirational forward is honing her skill under NRLW Head Coach Blake Cavallaro who is no doubt priming her to make her mark in the NRLW in 2025.
While Cavallaro currently leads the side towards a top-four finals berth, Smythe’s development will certainly be front of mind:
“Latisha is a talented lock forward or prop who has shown tremendous ability throughout her career at the Club so far,” he said.
Despite being at the beginning of her career, she already stands tall as a leader amongst her peers.
“I’ve been very impressed with her maturity both on and off the field, and her leadership skills will no doubt continue to grow as she enters the NRLW. We’re thrilled to have her join the squad and don the Bulldogs badge that she has worn since she was in the local junior league.
“This signing marks a very significant moment in the Club’s history which is really just the beginning for the women in the Blue and White. I’m really looking forward to continuing to see Latisha’s development as a player over the coming seasons.”
The Bulldogs would like to congratulate Smythe on this significant milestone and look forward to observing her progress in both the 2024 Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership season and in the new year at the NRLW level.
