Priim proud of women's game

Danika Priim is a former warrior of the women’s game, having won every major trophy during her time with Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos.

She may have announced her retirement from the sport in 2021 but continues to be heavily involved with rugby league in present day, as a respected BBC and Sky Sports pundit. It was also recently announced that, next year, Priim will proudly serve as one of the RFL’s Vice Presidents. 

As the Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final is almost upon us, Priim will be joining in on the fun, but will you be there with her?

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With the women’s game rapidly progressing, Priim has witnessed some truly groundbreaking changes in such a short space of time – compared to when she was once lacing up her boots, that’s for sure! 

Here is an overview of her remarkable rugby league career in the 2010s:

“I first started out in rugby union, and in 2013 I had my damaged my ankle. The international set up back then meant that if you were injured then you were out – there wasn’t really much support or money in the women’s game at the time.

“Luckily, I was scouted by Chris Chapman who was the head coach of England Women’s Rugby League at the time. He was looking for props in union to come and switch over, and he wanted new players for the 2017 World Cup.

“So I moved to Stanningley, played a couple of seasons there and captained them, and then in 2017, I moved to Bradford Bulls where we won the treble and went undefeated.

“I got to make my England debut in 2015, but you had to pay £300 for the privilege for play for your country back then. That’s just what you did and how it was. There were no questions asked. There was no drama about it, and I'd probably do it all over again because it was the opportunity to play for my country.

“Even when I signed for Bradford Bulls in 2017, we were playing at community venues where on a Sunday morning, you'd have to go and walk along the pitch to check for Sunday morning dog walkers and put cones over potholes!

“We’d all draw straws on who would wash the kit and then every Sunday morning before the kit was thrown in the middle and it'd be a mad dash.

“You’d try to get the right shorts and the right socks and if you weren't quick enough you either got some that were too small or some far too big. But because we knew no different, it wasn’t bad thing, but you look back now and you're like, wow, that was only around 2017 – and that’s not that long ago at all!

“I played in the 2017 World Cup and then finished my career playing for Leeds Rhinos, which was a no-brainer, as my hometown club.”

A sign of the times, Priim would never swap out her own experiences and is immensely proud of the game’s progression and the emittance of positivity around it:

She has, however, openly admitted being envious of the women’s players current positions – and their ever so bright futures:

“I remember participating in the first triple-header in Bolton with the two Challenge Cup semi-finals back in 2019,” Priim said. “It was really memorable to be at the stadium with all the men and we thought that was huge!

“Even when I think back to the trophies – I remember Lois [Forsell] receiving Player of the Match and it looked like a bit of a table tennis, little miniature trophy – but these were things at the time that we thought were absolutely phenomenal. 

“When you look back now and how far the women’s game has come, it's crazy, isn't it? Like the trophies now are just beyond imagination. I would never change it, but it's amazing to see how far we've come.

“I'm 100% jealous. There's no doubt about it, and I think I always will be. I'm really proud of the time I had - I'd had loved to play at Wembley though, and I'd have loved to have had all the coverage that the girls have got now.

“But it's part of a process.”

But Priim is never far away, and as a passionate rugby league fan, has become a familiar face on our television screens and inside stadiums, whether this be presenting or commentating:

“I remember the first Women’s Challenge Cup at Wembley and I was lucky enough to work for the BBC on it and I was just crying when the St Helens girls lifted the trophy. It was just such a milestone - the fact that there was a women's team lifting a trophy at Wembley was huge.

“I just hope that the girls appreciate how good they've got it. The young ones coming in – their kits are all set up in the changing rooms, they have all the facilities, strength and conditioning, the counselling and the nutrition staff. It's just a given nowadays, which is the right way to be.”

On the rise, it's an extremely exciting time to be involved in the women's game. There’s historic television coverage, more media coverage than ever before, and combine this with the countless press opportunities and record crowds. 

What about the fact that most teams are playing at their principal stadia on a weekly basis? The Women’s Challenge Cup Final now features at Wembley and there’s more Women’s Super League double-headers than ever before. 

And let's not forget paid contracts and the endless exposure and endorsement opportunities available to the women’s players in present day – all contributing to what is a promising product in 2024 and beyond:

“One day women might have to work much harder to get into the sport and then they’ll appreciate in a different way.

“To have the Women's Super League semi-finals and final on Sky Sports and to have all of the coverage is just incredible. The girls are getting more funding now so they are that one step closer to being professional athletes which is ultimately every sporting girl’s dream.

“We need to keep up this sustainable growth.”

With this year’s BWSL Grand Final on Sunday 6 October set to be the biggest and boldest one yet, Priim emphasised the importance of creating connections and relationships with the younger generation of girls – as without them there would, quite frankly, be no future:

“It’s all about that visualisation of women’s players and  how we get their characters known and make them more identifiable to our audiences. 

“We need to get community clubs to come along to see women's games and be offered the opportunities flag bear, become mascots, or be a ball girl! It's the most amazing feeling being in the centre of a pitch when there's thousands of people around you.

“If we see girls teams walking past at a stadium, let’s ask them where they're from, ask them position they play and all the more. Make them talk about the sport just as much as you would. 

“This year’s Grand Final is going to be a day out and an experience – not just a game of rugby!

“Girls and the younger generation want to see their heroes!”

With this in mind, juniors can secure their place at the BWSL Grand Final on Sunday for just £2.50 in The Community Stand!

It’s astounding to think of how much has happened three years on since Priim’s retirement. And despite hanging up the boots, she is ready to motivate the next generation, but has a special mention for the women who came before her:

“Sometimes people call me a stalwart and I feel so offended for the people that did come before me. 

“I got the opportunity to play for my country because the girls before fought for it. And I got opportunity to play at stadiums and in kits and have all of these opportunities I did because there were people before me who fought for it," as Priim insisted we must be grateful for where the game is at today.

“I’ll be forever indebted to them. And I hope that the girls in 10 years will be indebted to us as well. I think it's a cycle that hopefully just keeps progressing.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s Grand Final, it’s the BWSL’s main event of the year, but what would Priim like to see the sport doing to encourage young girls to go and watch, be inspired - and perhaps even pick up their own rugby ball one day?

“We need to start thinking, what do we want at our events? We’ve already touched on how to involve the young girls. 

“Then, maybe a DJ and some music – but what music? And what about hair and make-up?

“We want them to want to look like Paige Travis and Jodie Cunningham – and we want girls to know that they can play sport and still be pretty – look at Shona Hoyle with her nails and makeup and eyelashes. 

“If you want bright boots or boots that match your kit, we should show them that they can go for it! The players always say if they look and feel good, then they play good. 

“Let’s focus on the fact that you can look good and still play rugby! It’s not just about being a brutal sport - I think focusing on the femininity of what they bring to the game is huge.

“We want to make the game more accessible and more attractive for a slightly different audience and hopefully we can attract more people, which is going to be amazing."

Priim's final message to fans for Sunday's Grand Final is:

“Come along and watch, and if you don’t want to watch it all, come outside and join the fan zone. Be part of the experience. 

“It's not just about the 80 minutes on the field. It's about trying something new, whether it's having your hair done, whether that's walking in and around the stadium - or meeting new people.

“There's a whole day that you can be part of!”

The Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final will take place at The Totally Wicked Stadium on Sunday 6 October (K.O. 4.30pm) and will be shown live on Sky Sports. 

Be there to witness the action with tickets on sale now!