Congratulations Trish Bell!

Trish Bell has been a driving force to grow women’s Rugby League and has been named the 2023 winner for the NSWRL Female Community Coach of the Year award.

Her passion is to help grow and develop the women’s game across all ages this is seen with her work at club level supporting the female participants closely in addition to the rest of the club. Bell was also part of the inaugural female development squad, the first for its kind launched last year which set the standard for female development and targeted initiatives in the St George District, filling a hole that had previously been voided.

Bell constantly goes above and beyond to help get the best out of her players but believes there is still so much more she could do to help grow women’s Rugby League.

“I feel very honoured to have even been nominated let alone to have won the award,” she said.

“Female participation is a real passion of mine and it’s huge that we continue to push for growth.”

“To see the exposure the NRLW is getting, I believe it is the driving force. These young girls playing footy can now see that there is a future to their playing career.

“It is the future.”

The award is determined prior to the State of Origin match in Sydney with part of their prize being tickets to attend Game Three at Stadium Australia.

The annual Community Awards recognise the invaluable contribution made by more than 28,000 people, who give up their time as volunteers, officials, coaches and referees to ensure Community Football is able to run at more than 700 clubs across the state.

The awards also acknowledge the support given in the wider community as well as to the Rugby League Community.