Knights NRLW captain Yasmin Clydsdale has added her voice to calls for a Super Netball franchise in the city.
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The Dally M second-rower of the year, who is preparing to play for the Jillaroos against Samoa in Brisbane on Sunday, has close links to the Newcastle netball community.
Clydsdale, an Australian representative in touch and rugby sevens as well as rugby league, was a Newcastle and NSW junior netball representative.
The Scone-based 31-year-old, who grew up in Cardiff South, also played in Newcastle's championship women's competition.
"It would be massive," Clydsdale said of having a Super Netball presence in her home town.
"Newcastle has such an amazing netball community. I went to the [Newcastle championship] grand final this year and the vibe and the people around the court was amazing."
Wests Group, who owns the Knights, this week revealed its intention to bid for a Super Netball franchise as Netball Australia explores options for expansion.
Clydsdale has seen first-hand the opportunities for home-grown players at the Knights since the club entered NRLW.
Previously, Newcastle players had to travel countless hours or move away from home to pursue an NRLW career.
"Girls who are aspiring to be professional netball players, if they see that opportunity in Newcastle, it's going to raise the standard again for every local comp, and it will keep local talent at home, which, as a Novocastrian, I think is something that is super special," Clydsdale said.
"We want to keep our local talent, and we want to build from our backyard. Obviously, you want people from different places to come and add something, but, if you can build something that's really special and really competitive, people will want to come and stay in Newcastle.
"As the Newcastle Knights, that's something that we want to do. We want to be a competitive team, and we want girls to come to learn and to be better."
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One player who hasn't stayed is outgoing Knights star halfback Jesse Southwell.
The Kotara Bears junior, who knocked back a seven-year offer from the Knights to join Brisbane on a two-year deal, will make her Jillaroos debut on Sunday in the No.7 jersey alongside new Broncos halves partner Ali Brigginshaw.
"Obviously, I'm extremely sad," Clydsdale said of Southwell's departure.
"She's a Newcastle local and I adore her and the way that she plays, but I am proud of her for chasing what she wants.
"I feel like her having the opportunity to be coached by someone like Scott Prince is something that she was probably searching for.
"So, it is sad for us as a Newcastle Knights player and teammate, but if that's what she wants, then I'm just proud of her for chasing her dreams."
While Southwell's exit is a huge blow, Clydsdale expected Newcastle to remain competitive and again be a finals contender in 2026.
"We finished third on the table this year, so we're not a development team, and I feel people get that confused," Clydsdale said.
"We're a team that's going to be competitive throughout the NRLW, and, even with the loss of so many talented players this year, we had so many players step up, so it's going to be the same next year."
One of those players was 19-year-old Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, who has been named on the wing for Samoa after missing their 22-20 loss to New Zealand when the Pacific Championships started last weekend.
"That was a really exciting game to watch, and I'm actually really excited for where the women's game is," Clydsdale said.
"It's really exciting for a country like Samoa to have such a strong women's international rugby league team, because I think even five years ago, people wouldn't have thought this could happen.
"But, they're really competitive and we're preparing for a physical game."
Knights development player and versatile back Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa is part of Samoa's interchange bench. Knights forward Simone Karpani is on the reserves list for Samoa.
The Pacific Championships, which culminate in a November 9 final at Sydney's CommBank Stadium, will be the last international hit-out for the Jillaroos before Australia hosts the Women's Rugby League World Cup in October next year.
