The North Queensland Cowboys Women is an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, the largest city in North Queensland. They compete in Australia's premier women's rugby league competition, the NRL Women's Premiership (NRLW).
History In April 2019, the North Queensland Cowboys announced a program to support grassroots women's rugby league in the region with the hope of gaining entry into the NRL Women's Premiership. The program featured sponsorship and support for that year's Queensland Rugby League (QRL) Northern Region Women's Championship, as well as sponsorship of the Townsville, Cairns and Mackay women's rugby league competitions. Prior to 2019, the Cowboys hosted the 2015 Women's Interstate Challenge between Queensland and New South Wales at their home venue, Willows Sports Complex, as a curtain raiser to their Round 16 NRL fixture against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Several Jillaroos and Queensland representatives grew up or spent time playing in the North Queensland region, including Brittany Breayley-Nati, Renae Kunst (Mackay), Heather Ballinger, Steph Mooka and Jenni-Sue Hoepper (Cairns).
On 10 September 2019, the club announced the opening of their Women's Academy, providing a pathway to elite rugby league for females in north Queensland. The first four Academy members announced were Romy Teitzel, Riutoto Te Hiko, Shanaye Watson and Jasmine Peters. Teiztel's father, Craig, played 12 games for the Cowboys in 1995.
On 17 December 2019, the Cowboys announced their first women's team, the North Queensland Gold Stars, who competed in the QRL Women's Premiership. The Gold Stars were a collaborative effort between the Cowboys and their three feeder clubs, the Mackay Cutters, Northern Pride and Townsville Blackhawks. On 14 March 2020, the Gold Stars successfully played their first game, defeating Brothers Ipswich 24–10 at Blue Ribbon Motors Field in Ipswich. Emma Manzelmann and Jasmine Peters, who would be the club's first two NRLW signings in 2023, played in the match. The season was cancelled two weeks later due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 17 October 2020, Teitzel became the first Academy graduate to play in the NRLW when she debuted for the Brisbane Broncos. On 13 November 2020, Shaniah Power became the first Academy graduate to represent Queensland.
On 15 March 2022, the Cowboys formally applied to enter the NRLW. On 4 June 2022, the Gold Stars won the QRL Women's Premiership Grand Final, defeating the Central Queensland Capras 14–12, with the side featuring six of the Cowboys' future NRLW squad members.
On 15 June 2022, the Cowboys were admitted to the NRLW for the 2023 season. Following the announcement, the Gold Stars folded and were replaced in the QRL Women's Premiership by a Mackay Cutters women's side.
On 24 November 2022, Ben Jeffries was announced as the club's inaugural NRLW head coach, with Anita Creenaune appointed as Head of Women's Elite Programs. On 4 April 2023, Mackay's Emma Manzelmann became the club's inaugural signing.
Seasons
SeasonRegular seasonFinalsPWDLFAPtsPosTopPlacing202392071332664 9th 4 202494051372188 6th 4 20251170418617614 6 202611308178375610th 6
2026 draw The draw for the 2026 season was announced on 14 November 2025.
Round Opponent Score Date Time Venue 1 Broncos Sat 4 Jul 2026 5:15 PM Away Suncorp Stadium 2 Tigers Sat 11 Jul 2026 12:45 PM Home Queensland Country Bank Stadium 3 Warriors Sat 18 Jul 2026 3:15 PM Away Go Media Stadium 4 Titans Sat 25 Jul 2026 5:15 PM Home Queensland Country Bank Stadium 5 Raiders Sat 1 Aug 2026 4:15 PM Neutral Geohex Stadium, Wagga Wagga 6 Bulldogs Sat 8 Aug 2026 12:45 PM Away Belmore Sports Ground 7 Sharks Sun 16 Aug 2026 6:15 PM Home Queensland Country Bank Stadium 8 Dragons Sat 22 Aug 2026 5:15 PM Away Allianz Stadium 9 Knights Sat 29 Aug 2026 5:15 PM Home Queensland Country Bank Stadium 10 Roosters Sat 5 Sep 2026 3:15 PM Home Queensland Country Bank Stadium 11 Eels Sat 12 Sep 2026 12:00 PM Away CommBank Stadium
Head-to-head records
Opponent First meeting Win % Share % Titans 22 Jul 2023 4 2 0 2 43 66 50.00% 39.45% Knights 30 Jul 2023 4 1 0 3 49 124 25.00% 28.32% Broncos 5 Aug 2023 4 0 0 4 32 178 0.00% 15.24% Tigers 12 Aug 2023 4 3 0 1 88 72 75.00% 55.00% Sharks 19 Aug 2023 5 2 0 3 76 110 40.00% 40.86% Eels 26 Aug 2023 4 1 0 3 60 79 25.00% 43.17% Dragons 2 Sep 2023 4 3 0 1 128 124 75.00% 50.79% Raiders 10 Sep 2023 4 3 0 1 84 68 75.00% 55.26% Roosters 16 Sep 2023 4 0 0 4 34 150 0.00% 18.48% Warriors 3 Aug 2025 2 0 0 2 10 54 0.00% 15.63% Bulldogs 17 Aug 2025 2 1 0 1 48 34 50.00% 58.54% Totals 22 Jul 2023 41 16 0 25 652 1059 39.02% 38.11% Notes Share % is the percentage of points For over the sum of points For and Against. Clubs listed in the order than the Cowboys Women first played them.
Coaches
Coach Tenure Win % Share % Ben Jeffries 2023 9 2 0 7 133 266 22.22% 33.33% Ricky Henry 2024–present 32 14 0 18 519 793 43.75% 39.56%
Captains All players that have captained the North Queensland Cowboys Women's team in NRLW matches.
Name Years as Captain Debut Games as Captain Games for Club Date Round Solo Joint Total 1 Kirra Dibb 20232025 22 Jul 2023 1 0 27 27 27 1 Tallisha Harden 20232024 22 Jul 2023 1 0 18 18 37 3 Emma Manzelmann 2025present 5 Jul 2025 1 9 9 18 36 4 Bree Chester 2026 16 Aug 2026 7 5 0 5 40
Players
2026 NRLW squad
2027 gains and Losses
Off contract after 2027
Individual awards The North Queensland Cowboys player of the year and other club award winners since 2023.
Year Player of the Year Player's Player Townsville BulletinFans' ChoicePlayer of the Year Member's Award Cowboys Way Award (Coach's Award) Rookie of the Year 2023 Kirra Dibb 2024 2025 2026
Club records
Win-loss record since entering the NRLW in 2023.
Games Wins Drawn Loss Points for Points against +/- Win % 41 16 0 25 652 1,059 407 39.02%
Individual records Lists and tables last updated: 21 September 2026.
Career records (at the Cowboys)
Most games for the Cowboys Qualification: 20 games
Rank Player Games 1 2023present 40 1 2023present 40 3 2023present 39 4 2023present 38 5 2023present 36 6 2023present 31 7 2023present 30 8 20232025 27 8 2023present 27 8 20232025 27 11 2023present 24 12 2023present 23 12 20232025 23
Most points for the Cowboys Qualification: 20 points
Rank Player 2026 club Points 1 27 4 58 2 134 2 40 14 0 0 56 3 39 13 0 0 52 4 18 2 21 0 50 5 36 7 6 0 40 5 18 10 0 0 40 7 27 8 0 0 32 8 27 7 0 0 28 9 31 6 0 0 24 10 40 5 0 0 20 10 11 5 0 0 20 10 11 5 0 0 20 10 7 5 0 0 20
Most tries for the Cowboys Qualification: 5 tries
Rank Player Tries 1 14 2 13 3 10 4 8 5 7 5 7 7 6 8 5 8 5 8 5 8 5
Most goals for the Cowboys All goal kickers
Rank Player Goals 1 58 2 21 3 6
Most field goals for the Cowboys Two instances by one player to date
Rank Player Field goals 1 2
Season records
Most points in a season for the Cowboys Qualification: 20 points
Rank Player Season Points 1 2025 9 2 22 0 52 2 2026 11 1 19 0 42 3 2023 9 1 18 1 41 3 2024 9 1 18 1 41 5 2024 9 6 0 0 24 5 2025 12 6 0 0 24 7 2025 12 5 0 0 20 7 2025 12 5 0 0 20 7 2025 12 3 4 0 20 7 2026 11 5 0 0 20 7 2026 7 5 0 0 20
Most tries in a season for the Cowboys Qualification: 4 tries
Rank Player Season Tries 1 2024 9 6 1 2025 12 6 3 2025 12 5 3 2025 12 5 3 2026 11 5 3 2026 7 5 7 2024 9 4 7 2024 8 4 7 2025 9 4 7 2026 11 4
Match records Most points in a game for the Cowboys Qualification: 10 points
Rank Player Date Opponent Venue Points 1 Kirra Dibb 24 Aug 2025 Tigers Leichhardt Oval 1 5 0 14 1 Kirra Dibb 6 Sep 2025 Dragons WIN Stadium 0 7 0 14 3 Charlize Lloyd-Phillips 22 Aug 2026 Dragons Allianz Stadium 3 0 0 12 4 Kirra Dibb 4 Aug 2024 Dragons Queensland Country Bank Stadium 0 5 0 10 4 Kirra Dibb 20 Sep 2025 Sharks Queensland Country Bank Stadium 1 3 0 10
Most tries in a game for the Cowboys Qualification: 2 tries
Rank Player Date Opponent Venue Tries 1 Charlize Lloyd-Phillips 22 Aug 2026 Dragons Allianz Stadium 3 2 Vitalina Naikore 30 Jul 2023 Knights Belmore Sports Ground 2 2 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith 4 Aug 2024 Dragons Queensland Country Bank Stadium 2 2 Jakiya Whitfeld 4 Aug 2024 Dragons Queensland Country Bank Stadium 2 2 Vitalina Naikore 24 Aug 2024 Raiders GIO Stadium 2 2 Jasmine Peters 24 Aug 2024 Raiders GIO Stadium 2 2 Krystal Blackwell 26 Jul 2025 Raiders Queensland Country Bank Stadium 2 2 Abigail Roache 26 Jul 2025 Raiders Queensland Country Bank Stadium 2 2 Fran Goldthorp 10 Aug 2025 Eels CommBank Stadium 2 2 Fran Goldthorp 6 Sep 2025 Dragons WIN Stadium 2 2 Fran Goldthorp 11 Jul 2026 Tigers Queensland Country Bank Stadium 2 2 Margot Vella 1 Aug 2026 Raiders Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga 2 2 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith 8 Aug 2026 Bulldogs Belmore Sports Ground 2 2 Makenzie Weale 16 Aug 2026 Sharks Queensland Country Bank Stadium 2 2 Essay Banu 22 Aug 2026 Dragons Allianz Stadium 2
Most goals in a game for the Cowboys Qualification: 4 goals
Rank Player Date Opponent Venue Goals 1 Kirra Dibb 6 Sep 2025 Dragons WIN Stadium 7 2 Kirra Dibb 4 Aug 2024 Dragons Queensland Country Bank Stadium 5 2 Kirra Dibb 24 Aug 2025 Tigers Leichhardt Oval 5 4 Kirra Dibb 7 Sep 2024 Tigers Queensland Country Bank Stadium 4 4 Kirra Dibb 17 Aug 2025 Bulldogs Queensland Country Bank Stadium 4 4 Rosie Kelly 22 Aug 2026 Dragons Allianz Stadium 4 4 Rosie Kelly 12 Sep 2026 Eels CommBank Stadium 4
Oldest and youngest players The oldest and youngest players to represent the North Queensland Cowboys women's team in the NRLW.
Name Age Year32 and 62 days202418 and 54 days2023
First try and last try Player who scored the first try and most recent try for the Cowboys.
Name Year Round Minute Opponent 2023 1 6' Titans 2026 11 57' Eels
Margins and streaks Biggest winning margin Qualification: 10 point margin
Margin Score Opponent Venue Date Round 28 42-14 Dragons WIN Stadium 6 Sep 2025 10 26 26-0 Raiders Queensland Country Bank Stadium 26 Jul 2025 4 22 30-8 Wests Tigers Leichhardt Oval 24 Aug 2025 8 16 22-6 Bulldogs Queensland Country Bank Stadium 17 Aug 2025 7 14 20-6 Titans Queensland Country Bank Stadium 5 Jul 2025 1 11 31-20 Knights Belmore Sports Ground 30 Jul 2023 2 10 28-18 Raiders GIO Stadium 24 Aug 2024 5
Biggest losing margin Qualification: 20 point margin
Margin Score Opponent Venue Date Round 50 6–56 Roosters Queensland Country Bank Stadium 5 Sep 2026 10 46 4–50 Broncos Totally Workwear Stadium 13 Sep 2025 11 46 4–50 Broncos Suncorp Stadium 4 Jul 2026 1 38 4-42 Warriors Go Media Stadium 18 Jul 2026 3 34 6-40 Knights Queensland Country Bank Stadium 29 Aug 2026 9 32 16-48 Dragons Queensland Country Bank Stadium 2 Sep 2023 7 32 6-38 Knights Queensland Country Bank Stadium 21 Sep 2024 9 30 0-30 Roosters Queensland Country Bank Stadium 30 Aug 2025 9 28 12-40 Broncos Queensland Country Bank Stadium 5 Aug 2023 3 28 12-40 Sharks Queensland Country Bank Stadium 19 Aug 2023 5 28 6-34 Titans Queensland Country Bank Stadium 25 Jul 2026 4 26 12-38 Broncos Totally Workwear Stadium 1 Sep 2024 6 24 16-40 Roosters Netstrata Jubilee Stadium 16 Sep 2023 9 22 12-34 Raiders Cbus Super Stadium 10 Sep 2023 8 20 6-26 Knights Queensland Country Bank Stadium 12 Jul 2025 2
Most consecutive wins 3 (10 August 2025 – 24 August 2025)
Most consecutive losses 6 (19 August 2023 – 27 July 2024) 6 (13 September 2025 – 20 September 2025, and 4 July 2026 – 25 July 2026)
Biggest comeback Recovered from 16 point deficit to win. Trailed Canberra Raiders 0-16 after 47 minutes at Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga on August 1, 2026 and won 18-16.
Worst collapse Surrendered 16 point lead. Led Parramatta Eels 22-6 after 42 minutes at CommBank Stadium on September 12, 2026 and lost 28-33.
Inaugural team
First game and first win
Result Score Opponent Venue Date Round Gold Coast Titans Cbus Super Stadium 22 Jul 2023 1 Newcastle Knights Belmore Sports Ground 30 Jul 2023 2
First team