The Rugby League Players Association is pleased to announce Canberra Raiders winger Madison Bartlett has joined the RLPA Board as a player Director.
Joining as a player Director at the April Board meeting, Bartlett has been a long-term leader in the players’ association as a Delegate at three NRLW clubs (St George Illawarra Dragons, Gold Coast Titans, and Canberra Raiders) and joined the Women’s Player Advisory Group in 2023.
Bartlett becomes the third NRLW player to become a player Director on the RLPA Board following Hannah Southwell and Chelsea Lenarduzzi, who are still both on the Board. Madison also becomes the first international NRLW player to join the Board who has played for a non-Australian nation, following her five appearances for New Zealand.
“I am proud and honoured to be joining the RLPA Board as a player Director,” said Madison Bartlett.
“To me, the RLPA is a trusted body for the players, led by the players. The RLPA has been there for me and many other players through the good and the hard times and is an extra voice players can use to fight for fairness in our game.
“Not every sporting code has the likes of the RLPA – a players’ association that has had such a huge impact in a very positive way on a game, which in our case is the NRL, NRLW and rugby league more generally. I look forward to bringing through, not just my perspective, but the perspective of my teammates and NRLW colleagues as a player Director on the RLPA Board.
“The joint long-form CBA for NRL and NRLW players is a watershed moment for our game and as a player Director I am committed to my duty to work with the Chair Dr. Deidre Anderson, my fellow Directors and the RLPA management team in continuing to improve the working conditions of elite rugby league players.”
RLPA Board Chair Dr. Deidre Anderson praised Madison’s commitment to the collective interest of players and the individual expertise and experience she will bring to the Board as a player Director.
“On behalf of the RLPA and the Board, I would like to congratulate Madison on joining the Board as a plyer Director,” said Dr. Anderson.
“Madison becomes the third NRLW player to join the RLPA Board, alongside current player Directors Hannah Southwell and Chelsea Lenarduzzi. Madison’s appointment further strengthens the RLPA’s commitment to the NRLW and women’s game and continues the powerful bond between the men’s and women’s playing groups.”
“Having been a vocal and strong leader for the players’ association over several years, it has been a privilege to watch Madison grow as a voice for the women’s game and rugby league in general. She has continued to develop in strides as she moved up our leadership structure from Delegate to Player Advisory Group member and now a player Director on the RLPA Board.”
“Madison’s individual experience in the game and her broad understanding as an NRLW and international player for New Zealand will add another distinctive voice to the Board to protect and advance the collective interests of all players.”
RLPA Board
Dr. Deidre Anderson AM (Chair)
Daly Cherry-Evans (General President)
Clint Newton OAM (Managing Director)
Madison Bartlett
Dale Finucane
Tim Gordon
Steve Harker AM
Josh Hodgson
Felise Kaufusi
Chelsea Lenarduzzi
Hannah Southwell
Chad Townsend
