Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: Auckland Rugby League
The Marist Saints and Glenora Bears women’s teams will play for a new trophy from this year onwards, named in honour of pioneering female rugby league identity Nadene Conlon.
Conlon spent much of her childhood at Glenora, where both her grandfather and father were club members, and later went on to play for Marist.
She was part of the inaugural Kiwi Ferns team in 1995 and captained her country to a World Cup victory in 2000.
After finishing up as a player Conlon has gone on to blaze a trail for females in off-field roles within rugby league, including becoming the first female development officer at the Auckland Rugby League, first female team manager for the New Zealand Warriors and the first full-time team manager for the Kiwis and New Zealand national teams.
“I really was shocked when I was told about the trophy being named after me, but now it has sunk in it is really cool and humbling,” Conlon said.
“Marist was where I played my league and at Glenora my family has four generations of involvement, so it’s very special to be honoured by both clubs.
“I’m also quite proud of this because it shows women are being viewed in this type of light now. It is something else that shows the seriousness of the female game and that attitudes continue to change.
“I will definitely be making sure I am around to present the trophy and I am looking forward to watching as many women’s games as I can this year.”
The Nadene Conlon Trophy will go on the line for the first time on Sunday, June 20 when Glenora host Marist in the Farrelly Photos Women’s Championship.
