It's safe to say all New Zealand's top rugby league teams owe something Nadene Conlon and now she’s been recognised for all her work both on and off the field.
Conlon had an illustrious career as one of the original Kiwi Ferns, remembered as a tackling machine who played the back row and later captained the side to victory at the 2000 World Cup.
After that, Conlon continued to break down barriers off the field as New Zealand's first full-time female coach and development officer, the NRL's first female team manager with the Warriors and the first female Kiwis team manager - a role she's had since 2014.
“I'd be lying if I didn't say that it wasn't tough,” she told 1 NEWS.
“I did, at many times and probably still a little bit now, feel like I need to know twice as much to be half as recognised because I am a woman.”
But those feelings are about to be put to rest with Auckland Rugby League now in possession of its first inter-club trophy named after a female – Conlon.
The trophy was the idea of Marist women’s coach Alamoti Finau and will go on the line every year between his club and Glenora.
Conlon was honoured by the gesture.
“Another thing promoting women and women being seen in the same light as men.”
Conlon’s focus now is on another trophy though with the Kiwis set to travel to England later this year for the Rugby League World Cup amidst a global pandemic.
She joked the players are easy enough to manage.
“It’s the staff that are high maintenance.”
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