One of the St George Illawarra Dragons' most experienced NRLW players has declared the club's new high-performance training base a crucial leap towards full professionalism for the women's competition.
A Professional Environment for a Growing Game
Keele Browne, entering her sixth season with the Dragons, said the opening of the Bruce Gordon Centre at the University of Wollongong's Innovation Campus represents a monumental shift. She emphasised that the facility, featuring two full-sized NRL fields, a high-performance gym, theatre rooms, and a full allied health zone, addresses a long-standing need.
"It's so exciting for the women's game, when everyone wants to go full-time so badly," Browne stated. "To be able to train out of a professional environment is going to be huge for us." She acknowledged that several rival NRLW clubs have enjoyed similar centres for years, making this development essential for the Dragons to lift their standards and compete.
Building Momentum for a 2026 Finals Push
The Dragons have not featured in the NRLW finals since 2022, but Browne expressed quiet confidence that the new hub could help spark a turnaround for the 2026 season. The 23-year-old forward senses a tangible change in momentum within the club.
"I'm really excited for this year, this season and where we're going," Browne said. "It feels like there is a lot of momentum around the club. I think that's something really easily said, but really hard to actually feel within a club." She believes the state-of-the-art facility will positively impact every minor detail of their preparation.
Navigating the Pre-Season Challenge
With the official NRLW pre-season still roughly four months away, clubs are currently restricted to just one organised, compulsory training session per month. Browne admitted the current rules present a challenge as the women's game continues to evolve and expand its calendar.
"There's some difficult rules at the moment, with where the women's game is at," she explained. "As the years go on, we'll be able to extend our pre-season as the comp extends." In the meantime, the playing group is taking initiative, organising extra sessions independently to ensure they hit the ground running.
Browne stressed the importance of accountability and training together, noting the official pre-season is only about seven weeks long. "We definitely need to be starting earlier, which I'm excited about doing this year," she said. "It's a lot easier when you're training with your mates rather than on your own."
For Browne and her teammates, the new Bruce Gordon Centre is more than just a building; it's a symbol of the professional standards they aspire to and a critical tool in their quest to return the Dragons to NRLW contention.
