Kezie Apps and Botille Vette-Welsh will lead Wests Tigers in the club’s inaugural NRLW season, which kicks off on Sunday, July 23 against Parramatta Eels at CommBank Stadium.
The pair were officially announced as the team’s co-captains at Wests Tigers NRLW season launch at Wests Ashfield Leagues Club on Tuesday night.
Apps is one of rugby league’s most decorated female players and became the Sky Blues most capped player when representing NSW in this year’s Origin series.
Vette-Welsh, who is also a NSW and Australia representative, returned from a 16-month injury layoff in the Wests Tigers NRLW trial against the Sharks at the weekend.
“I’m really honoured to lead the team in our first year and I can’t wait for the season to kick off,” Apps said.
“We’ve got a great bunch of girls and I look forward to taking on a leadership role with Botille.”
Vette-Welsh is keen to get back to her best after missing the last NRLW season due to a knee injury.
“It’s been a long road back but I’m really excited about the season ahead,” she said.
“It was so good to get out there last weekend even though it was trial.
“It’s a privilege to be named as co-captain in our very first season and I can’t wait for our first game.”
Coach Brett Kimmorley says the choice to go with two captains was a simple one.
“Kezie and Bo both have all the qualities you want in a captain,” Kimmorley said.
“They are very well respected within the group and I know they are proud to take on this leadership role together.”
Wests Tigers 2023 NRLW Squad:
Kezie Apps, Bianca Bennetts, Emily Curtain, Sophie Curtain, Imogen Gobran, Najvada George, Rikeya Horne, Jessica Kennedy, Josie Lenaz, Losana Lutu, Salma Nour, Taylor Osborne, Pauline Piliae-Rasabale, Christian Pio, Rebecca Pollard, Ebony Prior, Eliza Siilata, Tess Staines, Hope Tevaga, Sarah Togatuki, Leianne Tufuga, Folau Vaki, Botille Vette-Welsh, Jakiya Whitfeld – Development players: Iemaima Etuale, Jae Patu, Brooke Talataina and Tiana-Lee Thorne.
