The unconventional coach out to extend the Jillaroos reign

Jessica Skinner, a proud Barkindji and Māori woman, is preparing to lead the Jillaroos, Australia's national women's rugby league team, in the Women's Rugby League World Cup final next month in Brisbane. Skinner, who represents Trangie, a small town in central west New South Wales, is set to coach her first World Cup as the Jillaroos' head coach.

The team is co-hosting the tournament across Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, and Skinner admits to the pressure of stepping into the shoes of successful past coaches who have won the World Cup in the past three tournaments.

For Skinner, the tournament is about more than just winning; it's about representing her community, her family, and her Indigenous roots. Skinner is known for her unique coaching style, which focuses on putting the person before the player, ensuring that the individuals feel valued, seen, and cared for. Her approach has helped her rise to the top of the women's rugby league scene, despite the challenges she has faced along the way.

Skinner's journey to becoming a head coach began 16 years ago when she started coaching women's football at the grassroots level. She worked away in the shadows for a while, taking on various coaching roles, including assistant coach to Brad Donald at the 2021 World Cup. After Donald resigned last year, Skinner stepped into the role of head coach, a position she had been working towards for many years. However, her appointment came during a difficult time, as her mother had recently passed away.

Throughout her journey, Skinner has faced numerous challenges, including the lack of women coaching at the elite level, the sacrifices of time away from her children, and the fact that her nearest NRLW team is almost 500 kilometres away. Despite these obstacles, Skinner remains resilient and committed to leading her team. She credits her intuition, known as her "human radar," as her superpower in recognizing when her players are not themselves and providing the necessary support.

Skinner believes that her ability to connect with her community and her players is the key to her success. She sees herself not just as the head coach of the Jillaroos but also as a representation of her mother, her father, and her sisters and brothers. She feels a deep sense of responsibility to honor their legacy by leading the team to victory at the World Cup.

Skinner is grateful for the support of her village, including her parents and her children, which has helped her become a better version of herself and grow throughout her journey in the women's rugby league.