Tarsha Gale is the first woman to be inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame.

Gale captained the Australian and NSW national teams in the 1990s and has worked tirelessly to improve women’s tennis since her retirement.

The NSWRL pathway competition, the Tarsha Gale Cup, is named in her honour.

“It’s an incredible honour. It’s been a dream to play rugby league since I first started – I watched my two brothers play,” she said.

“I’ve been supported by so many amazing women, strong, resilient women who have made it possible for us to play. So it’s a tremendous honor to be up here tonight and represent these amazing women.”

“It’s phenomenal how far we’ve come. I talk to the girls in the Tarsha Gale Cup in the sheds and honestly, their jaws just drop and it’s not because they’re in awe of me – they just say, ‘Oh my God, you’re still alive.’

“Where we are today is absolutely outstanding and the thought that I was able to play a small part in that makes me incredibly proud.”

Gale’s older brothers Brett and Scott both played in the first grade and their father Terry was an elite sprinter.

When she made her debut, her mother left her a charming and hilarious message.

“They both talked about how great it was to wear green and gold, and I never understood that until I actually wore green and gold.

“It was my mother’s idea to put one of Scott’s Australian socks and one of Brett’s on me. She said, ‘Put Scotty’s sock on your right foot because Brett can’t kick.’

“But wrapped in those socks was a little note from my mom that said, ‘Have a great game, honey, but stay away from the ball.’