Player Emily Curtain

[mt.wellington]

Emily Curtain

​

Curtain has excelled in her time at Wests Tigers, building a reputation as an exceptional playmaker.

Developing through the Tarsha Gale side and representing NSW in the 2019 Under 18s Women’s Origin series, Emily joined Parramatta Eels for its inaugural season in the NRLW.

Curtain kicked the winning field goal to help Wests Tigers win its maiden title in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership in 2022 and featured alongside twin sister Sophie in the club’s inaugural NRLW season.

Emily Curtain on her signing​

“I am so excited for a new chapter in my NRLW career and I am very excited to learn and grow as a person and a player.
“To be able to be given the opportunity to come over to New Zealand is going to be great for me to have a new start and an amazing opportunity.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to be in the returning NRLW squad and can’t wait to see what we are able to produce and achieve in the comeback season.
“Ron and I have spoken and we both want the same thing. Play good consistent footy and come over fit, strong and eager. I am ready to learn/build personally and as a player.
“This is a great opportunity for me and I can’t wait to get over there and meet the team and get stuck into preseason ready for the 2025 season.”

Profile | Emily Curtain​

Born: August 7, 2001
Birthplace: Sydney, NSW
Junior club: Eagle Vale St Andrews (NSW)
Position: Halfback
Height: 174cm
Weight: 76kg
NRLW debut: Parramatta Eels v Gold Coast Titans, CommBank Stadium, Sydney, March 13, 2022 (Rd 3)
NRLW clubs: Parramatta Eels (2021-2022), Wests Tigers (2023)
NRLW appearances: 9 (2022-2023)
Parramatta Eels: 3 (2022)
Wests Tigers: 6 (2023)
NRL points: 6 (1 try, 1 goal)
Representative honours: New South Wales 18s State of Origin (2019)

 

[mt.wellington]

NRLW Players: Emily Curtain​

Mitchell Roese
Sat 24 Jun 2023, 10:00 am


As a twelve-year-old holding her own against the boys, there were doubts as to whether her rugby league journey would continue.

But with the help of her junior coach in developing an all-female competition, Emily Curtain has continued to shine as one of the game's rising stars.


Emily and NRLW teammate Taylor Osborne

“You have now got something to look forward to and it blows my mind all the opportunities there are now," said Curtain.

“I wanted to start playing footy a year earlier, but my parents wouldn’t let me because I was too small.

Once I started playing for Eagle Vale St Andrews I loved it.
Emily Curtain

"I played with the boys up until I was 12, which was when I didn’t know if I could continue playing.”

“Thankfully my coach at the time Shannon Dengate helped created a female only competition in the Macarthur district.”


Pre-season training at Concord.

Emily has made steady progress through Wests Tigers pathways teams but she had to wait a while before satisfying the age eligibility rule to play Tarsha Gale (U19s).

She was soon named vice captain of the side before gaining selection in the inaugural NSW U18s State of Origin team in 2019.

After moving into Wests Tigers Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership side for the next few seasons, the 21-year-old half was rewarded with an NRLW contract with Parramatta Eels, making her debut at the beginning of 2022.

Curtain played a key role in helping Wests Tigers claim the club's maiden title in the NSW Women's Premiership.


You little beauty: 2022 HNW Premiership success

Making the grand final after a poor start to the season, Curtain’s tenacity and toughness shone bright. She kicked the conversion to force golden point, before slotting the winning field goal, all while on one leg.

“We had a rocky start to the season, 0-4 in the first four rounds, and we knew we had to win every game from then on to play finals football,” Curtain said.

“I was injured most of the season with my knee and I was just doing everything to get myself right to play in the final, and I actually went off halfway through.

“Going back on when we scored, I put my hand up to kick the goal.

We had been practicing the last two weeks for a field goal set up so when we got down the Sharks end, I knew what was going to happen.
Emily Curtain

“As soon as I kicked it I knew it was going over and I still get goosebumps every time I watch it. I’ve watched it well over 100 times.”

Emily sees herself as one of the leaders in Wests Tigers inaugural NRLW squad but says she still has much to learn.

"Botille (Vette-Welsh) presented me with my debut jersey in our HNW team, and I know I can learn a lot from her about leadership," Curtain said.

Curtain is also keen to learn a lot more under inaugural head coach Brett Kimmorley.

“I’ve learnt so much from him and having him around the group brings so much professionalism and a great vibe," she said.

“It’s the footy I love to play, moving the ball around and knowing you have the confidence to do it and trusting yourself and the team to execute when needed.”

Curtain is keen to 'rip in' to the first season and is excited for other young girls who now have a path to follow.

"It's amazing that you can now go from Under 14s to NRLW at the same club," she said.

"To be one of the first girls to go through the pathways at the club is a great achievement.

"I think it shows younger girls what is possible with hard work and persistence."

NRLW Players: Emily Curtain

As a twelve-year-old holding her own against the boys, there were doubts as to whether Emily Curtain's rugby league journey would continue.

www.weststigers.com.au

 

[mt.wellington]

Rookie watch: Discipline and hard work pays off for Curtain​

Alicia Newton
Tue 25 Jan 2022, 09:01 am

Rookie snapshot​

• Name: Emily Curtain
• Age: 20
• Club: Eels
• Position: Five-eighth/Halfback

For more than a decade, Emily Curtain has been brought up on discipline and hard work.

If you can't find Parramatta's newest playmaker on a footy field, there's every chance she will be found in a gym, sometimes for up to four to five times per week.

Alongside her will usually be twin sister Sophie, who shares similiar interests and career goals within the game.

The pair grew up playing rugby league from age nine while also sharing a passion for Muay Thai, where they have previously held junior Australian and world champion titles.

Both girls quickly learned how to develop thick skin.

"It was good growing up playing different sports, you learn a lot about discipline and can use some skills from other sports in rugby league," Curtain told NRL.com.

"Those few years playing with Sophie and the boys, it made us tough and showed us that we really had to stick to it if we wanted to.

Emily Curtain poses after winning gold at the Muay Thai World Championships in 2018.©Supplied

"We turned to Muay Thai boxing for the fun of it and it's really helped with training and fitness."

Curtain has been around the women's game long enough to watch it go from a sport with blocked passages to clear pathways for aspiring players to succeed.

The rugby league-mad rookie from Campbelltown had other ideas when they were set to be excluded from further competition at the age of 12 due to age restrictions in 2013, the same year the Jillaroos won their first World Cup.

With the help of their father Matt, created a women's rugby league competition in Sydney's south-west.

"There were a lot of girls who didn't continue playing and missed those crucial teenage years," Curtain said.

"All those key things you learn at that age a lot of girls come in a bit blindsided now but I'm pretty lucky that I've been able to play the whole way through."

Curtain grew up following the Australian Jillaroos and idolises former international Emily Andrews.

It was only fitting that the young gun was among the first players signed to the Wests Tigers Harvey Norman NSW Premiership side in 2020 after coming through the club's Tarsha Gale Cup system.

Aside from wanting to help the joint venture establish an NRLW side in the near future, Curtain is determined to make the most of her opportunity at the Eels in the meantime.

She is among 13 possible debutantes in the squad vying for selection in round one alongside the likes of Maddie Studdon and Sereana Naitokatoka in the halves.

Emily Curtain on the charge for the Wests Tigers in the Harvey Norman NSW Premiership.©NRL Photos

"I'm looking forward to the experience of playing with such high-quality players and to getting my own experience up," she said.

"I've been playing for quite some time now. The opportunity to be able to go to the next level is something I'm looking forward to.

"We want to make an immediate impact in the competition, make the finals and win that trophy.

"It's just great to see where the game has come from, to where it's going."

Rookie watch: Discipline and hard work pays off for Curtain

Ahead of the rescheduled NRL Telstra Women's Premiership, NRL.com profiles the next crop of talent ready to make their mark in 2022.

www.nrl.com

 

[mt.wellington]

Six players added to NRLW squad​

Richard Becht
Fri 20 Dec 2024, 01:56 pm

Former NRLW players Emily Curtain and Felila Kia are among six more players confirmed today in the One New Zealand Warriors’ 2025 squad.

Sydney-born halfback Curtain has made nine appearances for the Parramatta Eels and the Wests Tigers while Brisbane-raised second rower Felila Kia had three games for the Newcastle Knights in 2023..

Joining them in the squad are three Cook Islands Moana internationals Lavinia Kitai, Lydia Turua-Quedley and Kaiyah Atai along with Wellington-raised forward Maarire Puketapu, who has played in the Queensland women’s premiership.

With 11 signings confirmed this week, there are now 22 spots filled in the Warriors’ roster while head coach Ronald Griffiths has also confirmed 18-year-old halfback Danii Gray as the first player signed on a development contract.

After Michaela Blyde’s signing on Tuesday and four more players locked in yesterday, he’s excited about the qualities today’s six signed players will bring to the squad.

“At 23 years of age Emily (Curtain) has been involved in the NRLW for four years,” he said. “Although her game time has been limited, she brings a wealth of experience having started her rugby league career with Eagle Vale St Andrews at nine years of age.

“We believe Emily’s tough defensive mindset coupled with her game management will be a great accompaniment to the squad.

“The gratitude and desire to succeed that she has expressed in every interaction gave us total confidence that she would relish the opportunity to play for the One New Zealand Warriors.”

• The Warriors’ 22 NRLW squad players signed so far are: Apii Nicholls, Mya Hill-Moana, Harata Butler, Capri Paekau, Laishon Albert-Jones, Emmanita Paki, Lavinia Tauhalaliku, Matekino Gray, Shakira Baker, Tyra Wetere, Metanoia Fotu-Moala, Michaela Blyde, Tysha Ikenasio, Payton Takimoana, Kalyn Takitimu-Cook, Makayla Eli, Kaiyah Atai, Emily Curtain, Felila Kia, Lavinia Kitai, Maarire Puketapu and Lydia Turua-Quedley.
• Development player Danii Gray, an Auckland Girls’ Grammar School product, has been an age group representative as well as playing for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the Tarsha Gale Cup (under-19) in New South Wales.
• “Danii’s a talented half who, with the right attitude, has the ability to develop into a consistent NRLW player. We are looking forward to helping her realise her potential,” said Griffiths.

2025 Warriors NRLW signings​

Emily Curtain on her signing​

“I am so excited for a new chapter in my NRLW career and I am very excited to learn and grow as a person and a player.
“To be able to be given the opportunity to come over to New Zealand is going to be great for me to have a new start and an amazing opportunity.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to be in the returning NRLW squad and can’t wait to see what we are able to produce and achieve in the comeback season.
“Ron and I have spoken and we both want the same thing. Play good consistent footy and come over fit, strong and eager. I am ready to learn/build personally and as a player.
“This is a great opportunity for me and I can’t wait to get over there and meet the team and get stuck into preseason ready for the 2025 season.”

Profile | Emily Curtain​

Born: August 7, 2001
Birthplace: Sydney, NSW
Junior club: Eagle Vale St Andrews (NSW)
Position: Halfback
Height: 174cm
Weight: 76kg
NRLW debut: Parramatta Eels v Gold Coast Titans, CommBank Stadium, Sydney, March 13, 2022 (Rd 3)
NRLW clubs: Parramatta Eels (2021-2022), Wests Tigers (2023)
NRLW appearances: 9 (2022-2023)
Parramatta Eels: 3 (2022)
Wests Tigers: 6 (2023)
NRL points: 6 (1 try, 1 goal)
Representative honours: New South Wales 18s State of Origin (2019)

Six players added to NRLW squad

Former NRLW players Emily Curtain and Felila Kia among players added to Warriors' squad.

www.warriors.kiwi

*article abridged to contain player relevant information.