Rising rugby star Lily Bone is no stranger to making a massive impact on the pitch. A standout forward for the ACT Brumbies Women’s team and a newly signed Wallaroo, contracted for the 2026 season, she knows what it takes to succeed at the elite level.
Now, she’s taking that same fierce drive to the grassroots, having been appointed as the ACT & SNSW Rugby Union’s very first dedicated Women & Girls Rugby Development Officer for regional NSW.
Backed by a generous legacy investment from the NSW Government, this appointment is set to deliver a tangible, long-lasting impact on women’s rugby right across the region.
ACT and SNSW Rugby Union CEO Craig Leseberg couldn’t be more thrilled to have the young powerhouse on board.
“I am excited by Lily’s appointment, and extremely grateful to the NSW Government for this generous legacy investment,” Leseberg said.
“This funding will enable us to significantly boost female participation programs in schools and clubs, and deliver projects that make our sport far more accessible for young girls in regional NSW.”
Leseberg noted that the initiative isn't just about grassroots fun, it’s also about paving a clear road to the top. “It enhances pathway opportunities for young girls into our elite teams, as we inspire the next generation of players across Southern NSW to get involved and make their mark on our great game.”
The ACT & SNSW RU has laid out a bold strategy to get more girls lacing up their boots. The development program will focus on several key pillars:
- Inspiring Participation: Driving interest through Tri Tag Rugby and 7s, amplifying rugby programs within schools, and actively connecting students with local community clubs to keep their rugby journey rolling.
- Building Confidence and Skills: School-focused programs will teach young girls specialised movement skills, game awareness and tactical thinking, as well as skills in teamwork and collaboration. Crucially, the union will roll out contact transition programs to help young players safely and confidently progress from the non-contact Tri Tag format to 7s and beyond.
- Backing Female Coaches: The launch of an accelerated female coach development program will upskill regional coaches, providing them with clear direction on training content and delivery methods to elevate every player's experience.
- Winning Hearts and Minds: Utilising Lily Bone's established profile as a Brumbies star and emerging Wallaroo to inspire the next generation firsthand.
For Bone, the chance to pioneer this role and champion women's sports is a dream come true.
“I’m absolutely pumped to drive female participation and get more women and girls involved in the sport,” the young Brumby and Wallaroo shared. “Having the opportunity to step into this space and genuinely champion women's rugby is massive for me.”
Bone is already hitting the road, and the regional response has been electric.
“I absolutely love it. I was recently out in Goulburn running around with the young girls, and seeing their smiles as they gave it a red-hot crack was incredible," she said.
"They were so eager to get stuck into something new, there really are no words to describe how brilliant it is to watch them jump in headfirst. I’m already thoroughly enjoying being on the ground for our regional development programs.”
Juggling the demands of professional rugby and a trailblazing new development role would be enough to exhaust anyone, but Bone is also navigating her final year of a nursing degree at the University of Canberra.
“I’ve definitely got a lot on my plate this year!" Bone laughed. "It looks like I might be extending the nursing degree for another twelve months, but the team at ACT & SNSW Rugby Union have been incredibly supportive of my playing commitments, which is a massive help.”
With her boots firmly planted on the ground and her sights set on the future, Lily Bone is ready to inspire a whole new generation of young women to tackle the sport of rugby head-on.
Want to get involved? You can reach out to Lily and the ACT & SNSW RU Development team at:
development@brumbies.rugby
