Rugby Australia has announced the signing of 26 emerging female athletes to youth retention contracts for 2026.
The historic announcement is the first time RA has adopted the initiative amid the growing investment in the Women's game.
Watch every second of the Wallabies 2026 season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
It's spread across the country, including 10 Queenslanders, seven from NSW, five from the ACT and four from Western Australia.
"Providing a pathway for the next generation of talent both in the 7s and XVs formats of rugby is crucial to domestic and teams in gold success," Director of Women’s High Performance Tim Walsh said.
"The group of players who have signed agreements form the base of elite talent coming through the system and together we will be able to fast-track their development into rugby at the highest level.
"These agreements allow selected players to focus on their rugby and provide a clear path towards success and pleasingly we have a range of players from four states identified."
This includes Australia A Sevens trio Cobi Ryan-Last, Darci Turinui and Tiki Calliste amongst the significant group to be contracted.
All three featured during Australia A's title success at the Pirika 7s in Japan.
Ryan-Last and Turinui were both included in the Inaugural Next Gen 7s Team of the Series in 2025.
The announcement follows the launch of the NextGen XVs program at both under 16 and under 19 levels kicking off in September, with two RA under 19 teams to compete on September 12 and October 3, while the under 16 program will participate in a holistic development camp before playing their own match on October 3.
The talent is spread across the forwards and backs, including nine players contracted within the tight five.
"One of the Australian Rugby Foundation's strategic pillars is strengthening Women's Rugby because we believe the future of the game is shaped by the opportunities we create today," General Manager of the Australian Rugby Foundation Holly Kelsall said.
"These youth retention contracts provide support at a pivotal stage of a player's development, giving 26 emerging athletes the opportunity to focus on their rugby and reach their potential.
"This is exactly the kind of impact our donors make possible: investing in talented young players today to strengthen Australian rugby for generations to come."
- Molly Adamson (Backrow) – NSW
- Tiki Calliste (Wing) – Queensland
- Tekainga Enkera-Raveora (Centre) – Queensland
- Peyton Fakaosilea (Centre) – Queensland
- Talitha Heta (Centre) – Western Australia
- Bella Houghton (Backrow) – Western Australia
- Elissa Langi (Prop) – NSW
- Kailani Leota (Prop) – NSW
- Sonrae Lui (Wing) – ACT
- Amy Maka (Prop) – ACT
- Sarena Manssen (Prop) – Queensland
- Coco Marsters (Backrow) – NSW
- Indya McWilliam (Lock) – Queensland
- TJ Murray (Centre) – Queensland
- Kuini Nama (Hooker) – Western Australia
- Sarah Pascoe (Lock) – Queensland
- Darcie Prosser-Shaw (Backrow) – NSW
- Ruby Roissiter (Prop) – Queensland
- Cobi Ryan-Last (Centre) – NSW
- Luciah Silao (Lock) – Queensland
- Maronay Smuts (Halfback) – ACT
- Kiriwai Tetuhi (Prop) – Western Australia
- Isabella Trippet (Prop) – ACT
- Darci Turinui (Wing) – NSW
- Matilda Vial (Wing) – Queensland
- Sophia Wright (Backrow) – ACT
