Botille Vette-Welsh and Kezie Apps will again lead the way for Wests Tigers in their second season in the NRLW premiership.
The team’s first match of the 2024 season is on Sunday, July 28 at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Botille Vette-Welsh and Kezie Apps were announced as joint leaders at the team’s official 2024 season launch last week. The entire Wests Tigers NRLW squad, CEO Shane Richardson, as well as NRL head coach Benji Marshall and NRL captain Api Koroisau were also in attendance.
There are six new faces in the club’s top-24 contracted players as well as two new recruits on development contracts.
With 20 of the 29-strong squad part of the club’s historic first season in the NRLW, coach Brett Kimmorley is keen to build on what was achieved last year.
“I’m super excited to be leading this great group of women,” Kimmorley said.
“We have a number of new players and new staff and I can feel there is a great energy in the group.
“The big challenge for us is moving forward as a group and our next goal is to make the top four.
“We have a few days until we kick off the season against the Raiders at Campbelltown and we can’t wait,’’ he said.
Apps is preparing to play her seventh season of NRLW and is eager to share her experience with the group.
“It’s a privilege and a huge honour to be named co-captain with Bo,” Apps said.
“I just love being a ‘granny’ with these great athletes, and we are all eager to keep working hard ahead of what should be a great season.
“We learned a lot last year and we head into the new season a lot fitter as well.’’
Vette-Welsh, pictured above scoring a try in round one last year against the Eels, is equally excited to be given the leadership role.
“It’s an honour to lead this team alongside Kezie and we have such a wonderful group of girls – it’s super exciting for us all to go again.”
