Harden’s Tara McGrath-West signing her contract for the NRLW 2023 season.
Former Harden local, Tara McGrath-West has this week signed an NRLW contract with a still undisclosed club, however, the news of the signing can be confirmed and with training starting at her new club next week, the announcement is just days away.
Due to terms of Tara’s contract, the name of her new club can’t be revealed until it comes from the horses mouth.
The way NRLW contracts are set up, each club are allowed two marquee signings.
Depending on their value, rookies get a minimum contract based at $10,000 per season, with a sliding scale for everyone in between.
The NRL has been working hard over recent years on the development of women in league, with the competition starting at four teams in its inaugural season, however, will showcase 10 teams in season 2023, consisting of the Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans, Newcastle Knights, Parramatta Eels, St George Illawarra Dragons, Sydney Roosters, Canberra Raiders, Cronulla Sharks, North Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers.
Born and raised in Harden, the now 21-year-old McGrath-West grew up in the Twin Towns and learned her craft on the football field from an early age.
Before signing with the NRLW club, Tara has previously played for the North Sydney Bears and Wentworthville Magpies, and prior to that played in Canberra in the Tarsha Gale Cup for the Raiders.
She spent time in the local Worhawks side where her defence proved far too brutal for that competition and has likely resulted in her professional signing.
The Times caught up with Tara following the announcement of her exciting NRLW contract news.
“I started with North Sydney bears on a train and trial contract, but before the season started, I earned a playing contract with them. We carried a squad of about 30 girls,” Tara said.
Tara played as a prop for the North Sydney Bears but said she was undersized in comparison to some of the opponents she was coming up against.
Something that her coaches aren’t worried about.
“I found my fitness especially during games was a lot better than a few of the other girls I played. In the season I played two full 70 minutes games at prop – which is a full game in our comp,” she said.
“In the first game, I played 70 minutes against the Knights and clocked up 223 metres run, with 117 post contact metres, along with 29 tackles with zero missed.”
Tara’s last game for the North Sydney Bears came last Saturday in a semi-final against the Wests Tigers in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership, where the Bears unfortunately went down 24-10.
In her last appearance, Tara made four line breaks and crossed for a try once, however, was ruled held up.
Tara’s strong family connection to Harden has kept her going and inspired her throughout the early stages of her career.
Her brother, Michael plays for the Harden Hawks and it’s a commonality that the siblings like to bond over.
“I sometimes give him some grief but not a lot. We both share photos and videos from our games of our tackles and runs and we have a good laugh at one another,” Tara explained.
“Mum is super excited and proud of me. I’ve sacrificed a lot this year to earn this position and she’s proud of me for that.”
Tara first appeared in the Twin Town Times years ago, but then for a different sport.
She participated in miniature horse shows and performances.
Her allegiances turned to rugby league when Tara turned 15 and starting a lot more league tag.
“Once I took on that path, that’s where I learned where my passion was. I’m a former Worhawk and Hawkette and really loved that.”
Tara won’t be afforded the luxury of having an extended break following the end of the season with the North Sydney Bears, starting pre-season training on Monday 18 July at her new NRLW club.
While playing and training for her new NRLW club, Tara has also found new employment in Sydney.
“I have just got a full-time position with the NRL as a game development officer with the Manly District,” she said.
McGrath-West has the world at her feet and is very grateful for her family and support network.
She said, “I’d like to thank my family and the Harden Hawks. I was a junior with them through league tag and played a year with the Worhawks before progressing up to my Sydney clubs,” she said.
“Everyone’s really played a part in my journey, which is good. It’s something for the town as much as it is for me, in my opinion.”
Tara’s exciting news comes just weeks after former Harden local Grace Kemp made her debut for the Walleroos.
Both 21, Tara and Grace are leading the way for the next generation of female sportspeople in the twin towns.
Congratulations Tara.
