RAYMOND Terrace golden girl Olivia Higgins has secured her immediate future after inking a one-year extension with the Newcastle Knights NRL Women’s rugby league team.
In a huge boost for the club, the skillful State of Origin and Jillaroos hooker will remain with the Knights until the end of the 2027 season.
The deal was finalised in the lead up to Higgins’ 50th NRLW appearance last Sunday against St George-Illawarra at McDonald Jones Stadium.
She celebrated the major milestone with yet another strong performance for the Knights, who have opened their 2026 campaign on an impressive note.
Newcastle Head Coach Ben Jeffries said Higgins’ leadership and professionalism continued to inspire her teammates and the broader community.
“Olivia has played an integral part in our success at the Knights – her desire to compete and improve every week is a testament to her determination and professionalism,” said Jeffries.
“She has been a dream to coach since day one.
“The best compliment I can give Olivia is the trust she has built with her teammates, coaches and the entire club.
“Having grown up in a rugby league family, Olivia has natural footy instincts that most others don’t possess. When you combine that with her unique ability to mentor and nurture others, her impact has been significant.”
A deceptive dummy half with clever ball skills, Higgins is a three-time NRLW premiership winner.
She was part of the Roosters’ champion 2021 team before playing a key role in securing back-to-back NRLW premierships for the Knights in 2022 and 2023.
Earlier this year, the 33 year old helped the NSW Sky Blues achieve a 3-0 clean sweep against Queensland in the Women’s State of Origin series.
By Chris KARAS
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