Tahnee Norris on Hall of Fame honours: 'This is a 'wow' moment'

An emotional Tahnee Norris is blown away by being one of the first ever female players inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame.

The Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons coach has been named alongside fellow Queenslanders Karyn Murphy, Natalie Dwyer and Veronica White, as well as Katrina Fanning and Tarsha Gale. 

Norris - Queensland Representative Player #22 - played 13 games for Queensland, a record 32 Tests for the Jillaroos, including seven as captain. She played in four World Cup campaigns (2000, 2003, 2008 and 2013) and four All Stars games.

Norris said "it blows my mind to be named". 

"This is a 'wow' moment," she said.

"Definitely for women's rugby league in general, just to have that acknowledgement in the women's space... I didn't even think this would even happen in my era. It's exciting, it's humbling."

Norris said when she got the call from NRL head of football elite competitions Graham Annesley,  “I actually swore at him”.

“It just blew me away and I actually got really emotional about it... I'm getting emotional now... I just didn't think it would happen,” Norris said.

“It's an honour to be amongst the other five women... to have played alongside every single one of those and obviously Murph and I played 15 years together, so we spent a lot of time on the field together, and off the field... each of them has their own story and their own attributes that they've brought to the game.

"Amazing women for what they've done and full respect to what they've achieved in their own personal careers, as well as what they're still now giving back to the game is just massive in itself.

"Each one of them was a highly skilled player and I think it's key to acknowledge that in the first instance. And then the contribution that they've given to the game outside of that since they've retired is just second to none."

Norris said personally, the nod meant so much to her.

"I get emotional about it because it just means the world to me to have that acknowledgement and be recognised in the sport that I didn't even think that I could play," Norris said.

"I spent so many years having to play other sports and didn't think I’d actually get the opportunity to play... I just watched my brother play, watched it on TV with blokes playing and thought 'it's such a cool game'.

“And then playing the game, you never think you're going to get recognition... it's not why you play the game... you play it because you just love the game. Absolutely love the game. I just wanted to play footy and play to the best of my ability, play for Queensland and play for the Jillaroos. 

“Never did I think this would happen so it's truly an honour to have my name put up there. I'm just blown away by the whole thing.”

Norris said now women were being acknowledged in the Hall of Fame space, the future was bright for the girls and women who were playing their part in the game.

“There's so many phenomenal players that are taking the field now... it's so exciting, it gives me goosebumps to see the kids coming through the ranks… our first generation of players who can play all the way through... from 12 to 17 now....and the skill sets they've got...” Norris said.

“Just watching the Broncos on the weekend and Julia Robinson scores a superman try that I didn't even think our girls could do.

“To see the game where it is now and what these girls are doing because they've got the ability to train properly and be professional and take it to that next level, it’s just so exciting to be involved in this sport and so exciting to see the respect that's coming from behind the scenes.

“I think that's probably the biggest thing for me, the respect for us. Respect for what we bring to the game and how we play the game, and what we can contribute to the game after we retire through coaching and other roles.

“The respect has changed and that's probably the biggest thing for me… it just means so much to get that respect and that recognition.”

Despite being Maroons coach, Norris said she still found it amazing people recognised her.

“People now know we are… it's crazy,” she said.

“Having just been in PNG and people coming up to me taking photos, it just blows you away that they're yelling 'hey Maroons coach'… it’s really cool to see that and in Australia as well, go down to a local footy club and people talk about you and know who you are.

“What that does with the girls that are playing now, it allows role modelling... being in the limelight but being good people and good role models for the kids coming through, playing our game. That part is exciting.”

Norris said off the back of the first ever three-game Women’s State of Origin series, she hoped the momentum continued.

“To finally see we got the three game State of Origin series this year and the crowds, online viewing... I love to see it,” Norris said.

“For me, I love coaching, I love being able to help these girls achieve their best. If I play a small part in their success, then great. That excites me, to see girls get contracts, to have girls ring you for feedback, and to be able to help them in their journey now is what keeps me around.

“I've always said that I want to get the best out of my players on the field, but off the field as well, so if I can play a small role in that, then happy days.”

Norris said she was sure girls and women she coached would be future inductees into the NRL Hall of Fame.

“Absolute superstars in our game that I'm lucky enough to coach now… I can't wait for them to be on the list too… it’s pretty special,” Norris said. 

Norris will be formally inducted in a special ceremony at the Sydney Cricket Ground tonight, when rugby league's 14th Immortal will also be unveiled.

"This is an historic moment for the game – our first ever female players inducted into rugby league’s highest honour, the Hall of Fame,” ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said.

“This class includes some of the great trailblazers of women’s rugby league. They all significantly helped to put women’s rugby league is in the strong position it is today.”