The next generation of Bulldogs were on show at Belmore Sports Ground as the Club proudly hosted the Female Pups Elite Camp last week, bringing together some of the most promising young players from across Australia and New Zealand.
Female athletes aged 13 to 16 hailing from Auckland, Wellington, Queensland and Sydney as well as several players from the Canterbury-Bankstown district gathered at Belmore for a three-day camp, concluding with a match against the Sydney Roosters’ Elite Development Squad.
Designed to identify and develop elite female talent, the Female Pups Elite Camp provided participants with an authentic high-performance experience preparing them for what it takes to become an elite athlete both on and off the field.
The Pups were introduced with an induction and tour of the hallowed ground, including the Club’s high-performance facilities, followed by an educational session with former NRL player and SG Ball Head Coach Steve Turner on the Bulldogs’ attacking and defensive principles.
Turner was also joined on-field by NRLW Head Coach Brayden Wiliame who led the group through a combined skills session in what was an invaluable opportunity and experience for the fledgling players.
The Pups then took part in a gym session with a focus on correct technique and physical preparation, led by Pathways Head of High Performance. The session emphasised education to ensure safe and effective long-term development.
Day two featured a positional skills workshop and Captain’s Run led by Bulldogs legend and Harold Matthews Cup Head Coach Mark O’Meley.
Players also attended a nutrition session with the Club’s sports dietitian, learning how to properly fuel their bodies for training and game day performance, followed by a wellbeing session covering sleep hygiene and mental health as part of holistic athlete development.
The camp concluded on Friday with a highly competitive match against the Sydney Roosters Elite Development Squad, with both sides showcasing the strength of their depth of talent emerging from their respective systems.
Participants and staff stayed together in Sydney throughout the week, creating valuable connections across the Bulldogs’ local, Queensland, and New Zealand academies.
“It was a pleasure to come out and see the Pups in action at Belmore,” Wiliame said.
“It’s really pleasing to see the outstanding talent coming through our Pathways system. Everyone involved from players and staff should be proud of their efforts across the three days.”
General Manager of Pathways Adam Hartigan said the camp was a major step forward in the Club’s female development program.
“The Pups Elite Camp is about giving these young athletes a genuine taste of what it’s like to be part of a professional environment,” Hartigan said.
It was very encouraging to see girls from across Australia and New Zealand come together under the Bulldogs banner, learn, grow, and represent themselves so proudly and professionally.
“It really highlights the bright future of our women’s program.”
The Bulldogs’ commitment to nurturing the next generation of female players continues to strengthen, with the Pups Elite Camp serving as an exciting stepping-stone in the Club’s pathway towards the NRLW.
