Kylie Hilder named Blues coach

NSW Rugby League (NSWRL) made the announcement earlier this week, and named former Manly coach, Geoff Toovey her assistant.

Forty four-year-old Hilder becomes the State's first female coach since Karen Stuart in 2011.

She replaces Andrew Patmore.

"It is an absolute honour to be named coach of the Harvey Norman NSW Women's Origin team and I can't wait to get started," she said.

"I'd like to thank NSWRL for giving me this amazing opportunity to continue my career in rugby league and help to further develop the women's game.

"To have played Origin just last year with this group and now to be coaching them in the next year is a privilege and something I certainly won't take for granted.

"I look forward to building and creating a culture around this team, alongside my assistant, Geoff Toovey, and I'm confident we can return the shield to NSW."

Hilder called time on her illustrious playing career in 2020 after being drafted into Blues side for the Origin match.

Her career highlights as a player include winning the Origin shield in 2019 and back-to-back premierships with CRL Newcastle (2019) and Central Coast Roosters (2020) in the Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership.

She was the assistant coach of the side before her call-up to play.

Hilder is currently an assistant coach with the Sydney Roosters NRLW side.

Four of the six coaching positions for women's pathways teams are now held by women.

"I have said in the past that more female coaches needed to be introduced in order for the game to thrive and now to have four of the state's coaching positions held by women is a fantastic development and a huge step in the right direction," Hilder said.

Five months ago Karra-Lee Nolan became the first female referee to be appointed to control a decider in a NSWRL major competition for the Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership at Bankwest Stadium.

The women's Origin clash will be played on June 25 at a venue still to be confirmed.

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