In recognition of this week’s Women in League Round, we reflect on the contribution of Donna Burke, who in 1987 became the first female administrator in the NSWRL when appointed by Sharks Club President Monty Porter as the club’s Development Officer.
Donna was working as the Executive Director of the Australian Hockey Association when she noticed the Sharks advertising for a Development Officer — a pivotal role that would become rugby league’s first line of defence in taking the game into schools ahead of the growing influence of AFL and soccer.
Catching up with club historian Ashley Taylor, Donna reflected, “I just saw the ad in the paper and I thought, why not? Rugby league was my favourite sport and I saw it as a foot in the door of professional sport.”
Donna beat out 14 other candidates to secure the position and quickly set about building relationships with local schools and the Cronulla Junior League. “She certainly didn’t get it because she’s a woman — she was the best applicant,” then club secretary Peter Riley said at the time.
Working closely with local juniors, schools and regional competitions, Burke quickly earned a reputation as an organised and dependable administrator with a tireless work ethic and genuine passion for rugby league.
By the start of the 1988 season, Burke had become an integral member of the club’s Promotions Committee, a small but committed group responsible for much of the game-day operation at Caltex Field. From coordinating pre-match entertainment and promotional activities to organising corporate functions, liaising with sponsors and assisting with media commitments, the role demanded long hours and meticulous attention to detail.
Later that season, Donna was elevated to the role of club secretary after Peter Riley stepped down midway through the 1988 campaign, becoming the first woman appointed to the position in NSWRL history. So while household names such as Gavin Miller, Andrew Ettingshausen, David Hatch, Glenn Coleman and Jonathan Docking were steering Cronulla towards the club’s first-ever minor premiership, Donna was ensuring the back office remained in order during one of the most important years in the club’s history.
One of Donna’s fondest memories of the 1988 season was attending the Rothmans Medal dinner.
“That night was just fantastic. We were all expecting Gavin (Miller) to win it,” Burke recalled. “I remember about halfway through the night, one of the journos pulled me aside and told me Barry (Russell) had won. It was just so great for the club. Gavin was so gracious in defeat — it was such a wonderful achievement for Barry.”
But while the Sharks’ rise on the field had captured the imagination of supporters, turmoil was brewing behind the scenes. After Cronulla’s season came to an end with a preliminary final defeat to the Balmain Tigers, news emerged that former secretary Peter Riley had been charged by police for fraud relating to the embezzlement of club funds.
Donna chose not to apply for the advertised position, opting instead to travel the world with her husband.
Despite ending her time with the Sharks, Donna paved the way for the fantastic female administrators who followed in her footsteps and continue to do great things in today’s game.
The Sharks men and women will wear special jerseys to celebrate Women in League round this weekend - you can purchase yours here.
Hoping to pack Ocean Protect Stadium with the black, blue and neon pink on Friday night when the NRL Sharks host the Knights - get your tickets here.
