Trailblazing Hoepper given due recognition

In an era of Women’s Rugby League defined by inaccessibility, Jenni-Sue Hoepper persevered to trailblaze her way into one of the sport’s finest resumes.  

Cairns born and raised, Hoepper’s journey with the game of rugby league began at Cairns Brothers, where a 10-year-old Jenni-Sue cut her teeth playing alongside boys.  

Her first taste of representative football would come during her Under 12s season, representing the Cairns Crocodiles on the wing, still alongside her male teammates.  

But following that Under 12s season, her time in the game was put on hold, with no avenues left for women to continue playing the sport after their 12th birthday.  

“Following my Under 12s season, I had to stop playing was forced to wait until I was 17 before I could play in the women’s competition.” Recalled Jenni-Sue.  

“At 13 years old, I was watching the male teammates I was playing with the year before from on the sidelines.” 

“Back then, my pathway in rugby league waiting until I turned 17. Through school there’d be exhibition games here and there, but nothing cemented or regimented.” 

Once Hoepper returned to the game, she never looked back. 

After deciding to seriously pursue the game, Hoepper was left with no choice but to move to Brisbane, as Cairns had no active women’s competition at the time.  

Once the half settled down south, her career began to take off. 

Representing Papua New Guinea, the Indigenous All Stars, Queensland and Australia throughout her career, Hoepper also received the inaugural women’s Dally M medal in 2015.  

Eventually returning home to Cairns in 2025, Hoepper would suit up for her hometown Northern Pride while entering a role with Trinity Bay State High School in their rugby league excellence pathway, a role which allows her to mould young female athletes into future stars of the game.  

Despite not having access to the same pathways when she was coming through the ranks, Hoepper says it’s still moving to see the opportunities afforded to promising athletes currently. 

“Elishama Suavai, who went to Trinity Bay and is involved with the Northern Pride’s BMD Premiership side, is a prime example of the importance of these pathways."

Her and a couple of other girls were in year 10 when the excellence program began at Trinity Bay. After being in those academies, they’ve been given access to quality reps, skills and strength and conditioning classes.” Explained Hoepper. 

“The progress they’ve made is starting to show through their achievements. We had five girls from our excellence program make the Queensland Schoolgirls team this year."

Seeing those women recognised for their talents without having to move south, that’s really opening the door for future women to achieve their goals without leaving home.”  

Her journey in rugby league is one that’s studded with accolades, and one that has come full circle as she now inspires the next generation of players. 

But becoming the namesake of a statewide competition is the cherry on top of a lifetime in rugby league for Jenni-Sue.  

‘I’m speechless even thinking about it. Lost for words really. It represents so much more than my name. It represents who I am, and who I am is where I come from.” Said Jenni-Sue on having the Under 19s women’s competition named after her. 

“There will be a lot of young women who may not know me or what I’ve done, but having the competition named after me will likely make those young women ask around and find out more about what I’ve achieved and where I’ve achieved it from.”