Graham returns to Dragons in NRLW development role
Author
Alicia Newton NRLW Chief Reporter
Timestamp
Fri 22 Jan 2021, 05:00 PM
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Retired Englishman James Graham will return to St George Illawarra in 2021 after accepting an off-field role to help establish a female Dragons academy.
The Dragons' NRLW side have been underwhelming in their first three seasons and went winless last year despite boasting a squad stacked with Origin and Test talent.
The NRL Women's Telstra Premiership's expected expansion in 2021, where more round games are likely to be played, is another cause for the Dragons to establish stronger pathways for female development.
Graham was released by the Dragons in June last year before retiring with a premiership win at St Helens and following more than 400 games experience in the northern hemisphere and the NRL.
He openly spoke of his intentions to return to Australia this year after a swansong in the UK.
Dragons CEO Ryan Webb said Graham's appointment will give the women's program the "talent, skills and leadership" it deserves.
"This will lead to the better identification of talented young female footballers from our regions as well as improved development programs," Webb said
in a CEO update.
"This is all done with the goal of having a highly competitive NRLW team made up of great local talent."
Meanwhile, the NSWRL are expected to confirm the addition of Illawarra club side Helensburgh Tigerlillies to the Harvey Norman NSW premiership in another boost for several Dragons stars.
The Tigerlillies are set to be spearheaded by the likes of Kezie Apps, Jessica Sergis and Sam Bremner throughout the state's premier competition before they move into the NRLW setup.
The game's leading NRLW stars returned to training with their club sides last week in preparation for a busy women's schedule in the lead-up to the 2021 World Cup in October.
https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/01/22/graham-returns-to-dragons-in-nrlw-development-role/