The Parramatta Eels boast an impressive junior nursery among female athletes and have handed four pathways players a NRLW development contract for 2026.
Taylah Falaniko, Tia Matthews, Freedom Crichton Ropati and Aaliyah Soufan are the four players to earn that contract, a sign of the club’s faith in the quartet based on their success in the Eels pathway system.
In addition to that, Khyliah Gray has been added to the Parramatta Eels squad as a supplementary player.
Gray, Soufan, Matthews and Falaniko were all involved with the Eels 2025 premiership winning Tarsha Gale Cup squad and Ropati was a part of the Eels 2026 Tarsha Gale Cup premiership winning squad.
Eels General Manager of Football Mark O’Neill says the club are pleased with the the professionalism of the girls and their desire to play NRLW one day.
“Khyliah, Taylah, Tia, Aaliyah and Freedom have all progressed through the Eels Academy system, and we are incredibly proud to see these talented young players earn the opportunity to pursue their dream of playing in the NRLW,” said O’Neill
“Each player has displayed professionalism both on and off-field, and we look forward to seeing them thrive in the NRLW program.”
O’Neill went on to say that the Eels development pathways are such that it allows players to remain at one club throughout.
“Their elevation is a direct result of the club’s commitment to investing in our women’s Academy program which allows young players to remain at one club throughout their development, alongside their teammates and friends, while proudly representing the blue and gold,” O’Neill continued.
