A local junior from the Cronulla Caringbah club, who won a Tarsha Gale Cup at the Sharks, before becoming an NSW Women’s Origin representative and an Indigenous All Stars captain, Quincy Dodd has become the Sharks first official NRLW signing ahead of their inaugural season in the elite level women’s competition.
Dodd, who turns 23 tomorrow, has built up an impressive resume in the women’s game, with her signing, which is for the next three seasons and takes her through until at least the end of 2026, set to be the first of many as the Sharks build a squad to compete in the NRLW when the season kicks off in July.
Thrilled to have committed her immediate playing future to the club where her rugby league career kicked off, while looking forward to what the upcoming season might bring for the Sharks, Dodd was also somewhat humbled by being the first Sharks announced signing.
“I’m very excited. I’ve always wanted to play for the Sharks (in the NRLW) and to be announced as the first signing is definitely an honour,” Dodd said. “I’ve been talking to Tony (Herman) throughout the whole process, about building a team that can be as strong as it can possibly be, but it’s about having good people too.
“I think we have some great players coming to play with us, which is obviously good, but we have some good people here now and joining our team as well.”
A running, ball playing hooker who’s creativity can create havoc for opposition defences, Sharks NRLW Head Coach Tony Herman was of the opinion Dodd was a player who sets an example as to what is possible when talent combines with hard work.
“Not only is Quincy someone who brings energy and enthusiasm, is a team first player who is popular amongst the playing group, she is a local girl who has come through our pathways and is an example to the young women in our system now and those who will be a part of it in the future,” Herman said.
“From Development squads to Tarsha Gale, to NSW Origin, captained the Indigenous Team and now our inaugural NRLW team, it was important Quincy was our first announced signing to show others coming through what can be achieved,” he added.
Joining Herman as an Assistant Coach with the NRLW Sharks is women’s rugby league legend Ruan Sims who has coached Dodd while in charge of the club’s NSWRL Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership team in 2023.
Dodd was a member of a Sharks side which beat the Newcastle Knights in the Tarsha Gale Grand Final in 2018 in her second season in the women’s pathways competition, a year in which she became the first female player in the history of the Cronulla club to be named the prestigious Junior Representative Player of the Year award.
Her talents were recognised with selection in the NSW City squad, before becoming the 18th player for NSW that same year.
Two trips to New Guinea with the Prime Minister’s XIII followed, with Dodd then included in the NSW team for the annual Origin clash against Queensland in 2020.
With the Sharks missing out when initially applying for a license, Dodd has played for the Roosters and Dragons in previous NRLW seasons and was this year the Indigenous captain for the annual All Stars match against the Māori team.
Also revealed at Dodd’s signing media event was a substantial sponsorship announcement with the Sharks major NRL partner Aramex to also be front of jersey partner for the Cronulla NRLW team.
Aramex will be joined by Minespec Parts and Shore Hire as major partners of the Sharks NRLW team.
The Sharks expect to make more NRLW signing announcements in the coming days and week ahead of the July kick-off to the season.
