January 2025 has seen the rapid rise of the NSW Women in Recreational Fishing group on Facebook. In this issue, I seek to reveal what insights its meteoric growth tells us about the topic I ceaselessly bang on about (no apologies) — expanding women’s fishing in Australia.
I’ll admit, when I first saw the numbers, I did a double take. The NSW Women in Recreational Fishing (WIRF) Facebook group had skyrocketed overnight. As the founder of the Women’s Recreational Fishing League Inc. (WRFL), this left me with a mix of emotions — excitement, curiosity, and— let’s be honest — a bit of professional envy.
What was driving the surge? And more importantly, what could we learn from it?
This image of Blues Point was provided by Kirsty Fonz through the NSW WIRF group.
“This group has been so helpful. I completely sux at fishing but my kids absolutely love it so am trying to learn as much as I can, as fast as I can. When i’ve asked other groups for help, the general response has been – why don’t you google it. Members here are supportive but also have given me the basic level that I needed.”This group has been so helpful. I completely sux at fishing but my kids absolutely love it so am trying to learn as much as I can, as fast as I can. When ive asked other groups for help, the general reponse has been – why dont you google it. Members here are supportive but also have given me the basic level that I needed”
The Role of WIRF — More Than Just a Starting Point
Think of WIRF-styled networks as the community sports club system — a welcoming, social space where women of all backgrounds get involved, have fun, and gain confidence in their fishing.
This doesn’t just mean beginners.
Many members of WIRF groups aren’t new to fishing at all—they’re skilled and passionate recreational anglers who simply love the networking, camaraderie, and sense of belonging that the group offers.
This thriving social hub is an essential part of the female fishing ecosystem.
For beginners, it’s a safe space to ask questions, learn, and get started.
For experienced fishers, it’s a chance to share knowledge, swap stories, and connect with other women who love fishing as much as they do.
For those with a competitive streak though, taking things further is where WRFL comes in… because while most people will always remain social players in any sport, some will inevitably develop the drive to push further, refine their skills, and step up to a new level.
And that is the League’s remit.
Kate Wyeth is a keen member of the rapidly growing NSW WIRF group.
“From what I have seen everyone seems very encouraging and willing to help others out. It’s also so nice to see so many female anglers out there.”
WRFL: The A-League for Female Anglers Who Want to Level Up
While WIRF is about inclusivity, connection, and participation, WRFL is about mastery, competition, skills-building and leadership development.
If WIRF is the community club system, then WRFL is the A-League — the training ground for women who aspire to master the sport and compete on equal footing with the best anglers in the game. This is as it was always intended… let me explain.
The League focus is on self-development, mindset training, and competitive skillsets. WRFL initiatives are designed to prepare women for open competition, ensuring they have the demonstrated experience, confidence, self-belief, and resilience to enter mixed-gender tournaments and succeed — because fishing is one of the few sports on Earth where gender is truly irrelevant. Any gender bias that exists is all in the mind.
WIRF gets you on the field. WRFL gets you match-ready.
Not everyone wants to compete—and that’s okay. The majority of fishers will always remain social anglers, loving the simple joy of casting a line, catching a fish, and sharing the experience with others.
But for those women who do want to push themselves, who want to go beyond social fishing and develop a competitive edge, WRFL is the natural next step.
Lucinda Francis can obviously ”hold her own” when it comes to fishing, but that doesn’t preclude her from WIRF.
“This group is simply fantastic. Its supportive, offers advice regardless if your fresh to picking up a rod or you have fished all your life. It highlights woman who fish from all backgrounds across NSW in such diverse areas there fabulous catches. Salt water or fresh there’s a lady in this group ready to help. If encouragement, support and a vast array of knowledge in a safe environment is on offer then sign me up!!! This group was long overdue, just love it!”
Why NSW WIRF’s Rapid Growth Matters
For many women in NSW, the concept of an all-female fishing community was new. They weren’t actively seeking WRFL because they didn’t yet realise they needed it… or they weren’t yet ready for it.
As Jodie McEwen put it:
“There are so many fishing groups out there, but this one actually shares knowledge. No egos, no gatekeeping—just women helping women get better at fishing.”
This is why NSW DPIRD’s initiative has surged — it has created a widely accessible entry point, making fishing visible and approachable for thousands of women who may have never considered picking up a rod.
It’s the crucial grassroots development that leads to stronger competitive participation down the track.
Jodie McEwen and her boys (pictured) are a passionate fishing family.
The Role of Government in Driving Female Participation
NSW is late to the party when it comes to instigating a government-driven female fishing community.
Victoria led the charge, launching Women in Recreational Fishing (WIRF) in 2017, which quickly identified the need for a follow-on pathway beyond their “come and try” programs. In 2019, they approached me as one part of the “Barra’Prentice” program, requesting that my co-leader Vicki and I expand our initiative to create a structured, skill-based program for women who wanted to go further.
That program became the Women’s Recreational Fishing League, designed as a private-sector extension that would help women move beyond beginner-friendly safe spaces and into mixed-gender fishing competitions, advanced skills training, and leadership development.
Queensland followed in 2021 with WIRFNQ, acknowledging the same fundamental truth: Many women needed an introduction to fishing before they would aspire to more.
NSW DPIRD, at long last, has now joined the movement.
And the result? Immediate and undeniable success.
Ashleigh Rae shows off her first flatty caught on a plastic.
“This group feels like a safe space for women to talk about and explore our hobby. I’ve found that people are very willing to share tips, hacks and fishing spots. There’s a lot of encouragement and this page makes me want to explore more with fishing.”
The Road Ahead: NSW and Beyond
While WRFL will continue to focus on helping women evolve beyond the basics (and do its best to fill the void where WIRF groups do not exist), I couldn’t be happier to see NSW WIRF flourishing. This is exactly the kind of mass participation boost we needed to see in New South Wales.
And when our newly engaged women get hooked on fishing, where will they go to develop their skills, build confidence, and push their boundaries?
You guessed it… the Women’s Recreational Fishing League. That’s where WRFL comes into its own.
So often, I find myself explaining that WRFL is not in competition with the WIRF networks.
This story has never been a tabloid stoush-fest about WIRF vs WRFL — it has always been about how the two initiatives are designed to work together to create a full-spectrum pathway for female anglers, improving our sport for all.
I love where this is going for NSW. I love seeing more women on the water, pushing past their comfort zones, and finding the same joy that has kept me sane, empowered me beyond comprehension and inspired me to cast aside all my limiting beliefs.
And I’m particularly grateful that DPIRD is happily working hand-in-glove with WRFL, collaborating for optimum outcomes for women in fishing.
But there are still states sitting on the sidelines. Tassie, South Oz, WA… I’m looking at you.
If you want to see this kind of success in your state, pester your fisheries minister to get an entry-level WIRF-style initiative off the ground.
Tell them the evidence is clear. The demand is there.
And if they don’t know where to start, I am happy to help.
WRFL is standing by, eager to assist in building the next stage of female fishing participation right across Australia. The goal is gender parity by 2050. Pulling together, we can do this!
Until next time, FISH ON!
For three decades Jo has worked with businesses and personalities, helping them to promote themselves in one form or another, whether through graphic design, advertising, promotions or marketing.
She has owned a fishing rod for just as long, but it’s only been in this new century that it hasn’t been allowed to gather dust.
Jo is a passionate advocate for the sport of fishing and its promotion as a healthy lifestyle for women.
To find out more about Jo visit her website HERE
Or you can visit her Fishtopia Web site HERE or on the banner below.
Jo is also the founder and National President of the Women’s Recreational Fishing League (WRFL) Inc. The work they do is very important in balancing the participation ratios of fishing in Australia, thus making the collective voices of Aussie anglers more harmonious and powerful, as well as shoring up the economy of the sector. For more information visit their Website at womensrecfishingleague.org
