The Hunter Hurricanes started as a dream — give players from Newcastle and the Hunter Valley a genuine shot at the international stage. That dream began with our Women's team, and this year it grows to include our first Men's team.
We took our first Women's team to Las Vegas and finished 3–3 from six games against some of the toughest club sides in the world.
We opened with a win over the American All Stars, then went down in a close contest to the Titans of Coal. We then came up against the LA Roosters, who fielded around eight NRLW players, before bouncing back with two straight wins — including a win over a Canadian side. Our final game was another nail-biter, going down right on the bell to the Aus Angels.
The standard was extremely high throughout, with teams featuring players from the NRLW, Queensland Cup and the NSW Harvey Norman Women's Premiership. Finishing equal third on competition points and fourth overall on for-and-against, against that calibre of opposition, proved our players belong on that stage.
The biggest lesson from Vegas wasn't about the football — it was about the experience and the journey for our players.
Vegas is a massive experience, and for many players it's something they may only get to do once. We learnt we need the right balance between preparing to compete at a high level and giving players the space to actually enjoy and experience Las Vegas together.
This year, we want the journey to be just as memorable as the tournament. That means better preparation before we leave, clearer organisation once we're there, more opportunities for the group to experience Vegas together, and an environment where players build relationships and enjoy being part of something unique.
We proved last year that we can compete with some of the best players in the competition. This year, the goal is to build on that — and make the entire Hurricanes experience, from leaving Australia to coming home, something our players remember for the rest of their lives.
The Hunter Hurricanes were built by a group of people who believed in creating something different — an opportunity for players to experience rugby league, travel and lifelong memories together.
After taking our first Women's team to Las Vegas, 2027 marks the next stage in the growth of the Hunter Hurricanes — the introduction of our first Men's team.
For the first time, the Hurricanes will travel with both Men's and Women's teams, continuing to build the culture and experience established by our foundation group.
The introduction of the Men's team is an important step forward for the Hurricanes. While the club is growing, the purpose remains the same — give players an unforgettable experience, bring good people together, and create opportunities through rugby league.
The foundation group created the Hurricanes and established what the club stands for. The responsibility of the 2027 group is to respect what came before them, add to it, and leave the Hurricanes better for the next group that follows.
Whether you're lacing up for the season or backing us from the sideline, there's a place for you at the Hurricanes.