Jillaroos legends Tahnee Norris and Nat Dwyer will have medals named in their honour to acknowledge the level of commitment and impact the pair have had in the women's game.
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Norris, the most capped Jillaroos player in history and a member of the Orange Sporting Hall of Fame, has her name emblazoned on the player of the tournament medal at the Harvey Normal National Championship, which on Sunday was won by NSW City winger Tiana Penitani after she scored three tries in the her side's 34-4 victory over NSW Country in the final.
While Dwyer's medal will be handed to the best on ground for the under 18s State of Origin clash to be played as curtain raiser to the Holden Women's State of Origin match on June 21.
A pioneer of the women's game alongside Dwyer, Norris had her contribution to the sport recognised in an official capacity at a teams dinner on the Gold Coast on Thursday night in front of 150 current and former players in Australia.
"It's an absolute honour," Norris said, a former James Sheahan Catholic High School student said.
"I love this game, it's done so much for me. When Brad [Donald] rang me about it I got off the phone and burst into tears.
"Back in 1998 I played my first ever national titles with the Burleigh Bears. It was my first time playing rugby league. It went onto a very long career."
Jillaroos coach Brad Donald paid tribute to the pair, who he coached at state level during his time with Queensland before becoming national coach.
"Tahnee and Nat are pioneers of our women's game and are absolute heroes to female players, past and present," the former Orange CYMS mentor added.
"They played in an era when women's rugby league received little recognition and support, but they persevered, carved out incredible playing legacies and have gone on to continue to promote the game they love - rugby league.
"This is a special moment in the history of women's rugby league and the significance of both medals was not lost on the players participating as part of the championship when they found out last night."
Orange pair Kaitlyn Phillips and Vanessa Foliaki took part in the 2019 championship on the Gold Coast, their NSW Country side progressing through to the final on the back of 54-0 and 20-14 wins over the Australian Defence Force and Queensland Country respectively.
Phillips scored a try against the ADF and played all three games but Foliaki missed the final through injury.
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