Head coach Joey de Dassel believes the Hunter Wildfires’ landmark decision to lead the way for equity in women’s sports will provide a springboard to success in 2022.

As his side prepares for the start of the Jack Scott Cup – which resumes on 30 April – and Shute Shield, the female players received massive news that they would be offered paid contracts – a first in grassroots rugby union circles.

In 2021, the Wildfires boasted 13 representatives across four teams in the SuperW, playing for Melbourne Rebels, NSW Waratahs, President’s XV and the ACT Brumbies.

Now, those youngsters who take the field for the Hunter outfit in Jack Scott Cup and Shute Shield will also be financially compensated.

At a Wildfires’ bonding event late last month, de Dassel, board chair Nicola Roche and general manager Stuart Pinkterton made the announcement to the shocked contingent.

“You all fought for this – this step towards more equality,” he told them.

“There’s an expectation on you now to step this up.

“But, I don’t have any doubts that this group will smash it.”

De Dassel was quick to praise the efforts of Roche and the Wildfires board.

“Full credit goes to Nic and the team, who fought for it to happen,” he said.

“In clubrooms, communities and boardrooms these conversations are really important.

“Sport has the ability to help create positive change and I’m proud to be part of an organisation leading the way.”

De Dassel admitted it was one of the reasons why he applied for the role at the Wildfires.

“I could see the potential of the women to be successful not just on the field, but in leading the growth of the game for the next generation off the paddock,” he said.

“The fact they’ll be paid for the first time proves that.

“Hopefully, with the girls buoyant [by the news], it will set the platform for a big season ahead.”

For Roche, she’s been a passionate advocate for women in sport since first pulling on the rugby boots in 2012.

“If you’re as old as me, you’ve seen the landscape change a lot over the past few years,” she said.

“For those of you who are a bit younger, you’ve seen the movement towards recognising the effort and the contributions female athletes make in the sports.

“Unfortunately, rugby hasn’t quite lived up to that the way that other sports and other codes have.

“At the Wildfires, we’ve reached the point where we think it’s time to take leadership.

“So, the board decided that in 2022 we would contract our squad of 30 women.

“Every game they play, regardless of whether they’re one or 23 in the Jack Scott Cup, they’ll receive a match payment per person, per game.”

Roche singled out ex-Wildfires and NSW Waratah reps Kaitlan Leaney and Ashleigh Walker as prime examples of why the organisation reinforced the historic equity status in the Hunter.

“Both of them made the five-hour round trip to Sydney three times a week for the six months of pre-season and SuperW competition, all of which was done at their own cost,” she explained.

“For me, and for the Wildfires, it’s about our actions matching our words.

“We’ve told our women’s team for the past two years, they’re an important part of the club.

“And, as a board, we decided to take action that demonstrated how much we valued them.

“As far as I know, we’re the only club in Australia that’s doing this.

“We’ll continue to review it and, as we can, improve it.

“This isn’t about using money as an incentive; it’s about recognising the effort and commitment that the players show in being part of this team and this club.”

The Wildfires will tackle Warringah in round one of the Jack Scott Cup on 30 April.

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