The Helm
MEET YOUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Isn’t it amazing how life brings people of like mind and common cause together? The WRFL National Committee has grown spectacularly in its three iterations, and this year boasts a solid team of indomitable women who all share the common goal of elevating all who identify as women to be the most empowered they can be, using recreational fishing as the catalyst for growth and self-confidence.
The Women’s Recreational Fishing League may only be three years old, but the years and “skin in the game” of the Leadership team is considerable. And the level of passion in this cohort is off the scale!
Check them out… you’ll find ample cred, inspiration and a few familiar faces. They’re excited to be leading you out as we lead the charge towards national gender participation parity in this extraordinarily empowering sport — recreational fishing.
President
Jo Starling
“I came to fishing late in life, having been raised to believe that ‘girls don’t fish’. As a young adult in the Northern Territory, it was inevitable that boyfriends would want me to give it a go — sadly, that dynamic never worked for me. Luckily, I have two sister-in-laws who decided to teach me. The different approach to passing on knowledge that the girls had made all the difference… and the rest is history! On the basis of that experience, I’ve dedicated my years since 2010 to finding innovative ways to teach recreational fishing to people from all walks of life, with a particular focus on women.”
Vice President
Karen Van Bael
Our VEEP is blessed to call Maclean in northern NSW “home”. Karen is the daughter of an Australian Army veteran and has benefited from the broad experiences that come with growing up in various states as the Defence Force moves you around.
Today, Karen is a Licensed Conveyancer and has her own business in Maclean handling conveyancing matters throughout New South Wales.
Although fishing has always been in Karen’s life, her love and fascination of the sport was recently amped through meeting her (now) husband, Kev — a keen Murray cod fisherman.
In Karen’s words, “I have so much to learn and it was through my hunger for better skills and more information about fishing that I found the WRFL. Women teaching women to be confident and self sufficient anglers — I’ve found my tribe!!”
Treasurer
Laurie Anderson
In her day-to-day, Loz is a Finance Strategist with Macmillans Accountants in Maitland, NSW — one of our valued sponsors. Her impressive list of qualifications include a Diploma in International Trade and Finance, Diploma in Accounting, Diploma in Mortgage Brokering and Management and Diploma in Financial Planning.
With Laurie on our side, it’s easy to see how our League grows so strongly!
General
Kym-Cheree Adams
“G’day there — I’m Kymmy.
I’m a Mumma and Grandmumma, livin’ my best life in NQ after living in Tasmania for just shy of 10 years. It’s safe to say the fishing up here is rather different and I’m absolutely LOVING catching new species and learning new things… in the warmth.
I love fishing for anything and everything and particularly love soft plastics fishing. I have a new found passion for freshwater fishing and the thrill of the chase, sometimes trekking 15+km to find the honey holes.
Aside from that, I’m the woman behind “Lady Anglers Downunder” and owner of Medusa Ocean Wear. I’m HUGE on supporting, inspiring, promoting and uplifting my fellow lady anglers and get so excited to see them accomplishing things in the fishing world, no matter how big or small.
When women support women ~ incredible things happen.
Best wishes and fishes Gals and Guys.”
Louise Atkin
“Hi, I’m Louise.
I am a serious fishaholic and a day in or on the water is the best day out.
I have always enjoyed a fishing through all stages of life. Saltwater is my first love, but being introduced to the fun of freshwater has unlocked a new desire to do more.
Living on the Sunshine Coast (on the Maroochy), it isn’t hard for me to go out to wet a line 😉
I am very passionate about is tagging fish and learning about their growth and movement, but conservation of and education about our aquatic environments also rings my bells. It’s imperative if we hope to something to give our future generations.
I prefer lure fishing, and this flatty I’m holding was the first fish I ever caught on a plastic… it certainly wet the appetite!
Cheers tight lines, bent spines!! 😁😁”
Cass Price
“Hi Crew! My name is Cass Price, I call Ballina home in northern NSW, but grew up in country South Australia. I learned to fish in the southern Gulfs, Coorong Beach and the River Murray. I am from a fishing family — my Dad learned to fish on the Maroochy River, Qld and my Mum in the Ral Ral and other tribs of the Murray.
My childhood was filled with fishing experiences, and I love continuing to explore fishing with my Dad, Mum, my own two kids and my partner in fishing and in life, Grant.
I am a vocal advocate for diversity in the fishing sector. My position as Director of Habitat Programs at fishing conservation charity, OzFish, allows me the opportunity to be part of some key platforms to get this message across. I love supporting grass-roots families to take up and enjoy fishing for the first time and into the future. It truly is a past-time with endless benefits.
My favourite fishing experiences right now are with my kids in the estuary for gar, sand whiting and flathead, with Grant on the bank of any remote creek and with my Dad in the ocean.
Enjoy every moment!
Nikki Bryant
It all started when hubby and I decided to buy ourselves a boat, and with thee young kids, it was the start of many family fishing adventures. But it wasn’t until I discovered soft plastic lures that the passion really bit. Being able to cast out soft plastics for the kids and seeing the excitement in their eyes when they landed their fish (and doing the same myself) really got me going!
As the kids got older and more capable, I spent more time on my own fishing and boy did my passion grow! Firstly with flathead and then moving onto bream — both socially and entering competitions — it became an addiction that I have to feed.
I started “Purple Patch Fishing” as a way for me to share my passion with others and encourage women, and ultimately families, to crack the code to catching fish and create amazing memories together, just like I have done.
Secretary
Kendl Cramer
“Hi All! My name is Kendl Cramer and I am a fishoholic from Coffs Harbour! I teach TAS at Bellingen High School, I’m a Driving Instructor and I’m the owner/operator of Bakerlicious (a cake decorating business).
I have been fishing all my life, starting with estuary with my dad as a kid. I then graduated to deep sea as a teenager, where I started to learn to operate the boat and car and never wanted to stop learning. My favourite fish to target is snapper on light gear either float lining or with soft plastics.
I want to achieve a world where fishing is an inclusive family activity rather than a sport women feel intimidated to break into. I want to feel like all women are taken seriously as equal anglers and welcomed into the community. I’m here to help achieve this goal!
Tight lines everyone!”
Treasurer
Laurie Anderson
In her day-to-day, Loz is a Finance Strategist with Macmillans Accountants in Maitland, NSW — one of our valued sponsors. Her impressive list of qualifications include a Diploma in International Trade and Finance, Diploma in Accounting, Diploma in Mortgage Brokering and Management and Diploma in Financial Planning.
With Laurie on our side, it’s easy to see how our League grows so strongly.
Secretary
Kendl Cramer
“Hi All! My name is Kendl Cramer and I am a fishoholic from Coffs Harbour! I teach TAS at Bellingen High School, I’m a Driving Instructor and I’m the owner/operator of Bakerlicious (a cake decorating business).
I have been fishing all my life, starting with estuary with my dad as a kid. I then graduated to deep sea as a teenager, where I started to learn to operate the boat and car and never wanted to stop learning. My favourite fish to target is snapper on light gear either float lining or with soft plastics.
I want to achieve a world where fishing is an inclusive family activity rather than a sport women feel intimidated to break into. I want to feel like all women are taken seriously as equal anglers and welcomed into the community. I’m here to help achieve this goal!
Tight lines everyone!”
General
Louise Atkin
“Hi, I’m Louise.
I am a serious fishaholic and a day in or on the water is the best day out.
I have always enjoyed a fishing through all stages of life. Saltwater is my first love, but being introduced to the fun of freshwater has unlocked a new desire to do more.
Living on the Sunshine Coast (on the Maroochy), it isn’t hard for me to go out to wet a line 😉
I am very passionate about is tagging fish and learning about their growth and movement, but conservation of and education about our aquatic environments also rings my bells. It’s imperative if we hope to something to give our future generations.
I prefer lure fishing, and this flatty I’m holding was the first fish I ever caught on a plastic… it certainly wet the appetite!
Cheers tight lines, bent spines!! 😁😁”
Kym-Cheree Adams
“G’day there — I’m Kymmy.
I’m a Mumma and Grandmumma, livin’ my best life in NQ after living in Tasmania for just shy of 10 years. It’s safe to say the fishing up here is rather different and I’m absolutely LOVING catching new species and learning new things… in the warmth.
I love fishing for anything and everything and particularly love soft plastics fishing. I have a new found passion for freshwater fishing and the thrill of the chase, sometimes trekking 15+km to find the honey holes.
Aside from that, I’m the woman behind “Lady Anglers Downunder” and owner of Medusa Ocean Wear. I’m HUGE on supporting, inspiring, promoting and uplifting my fellow lady anglers and get so excited to see them accomplishing things in the fishing world, no matter how big or small.
When women support women ~ incredible things happen.
Best wishes and fishes Gals and Guys.”
Cass Price
“Hi Crew! My name is Cass Price, I call Ballina home in northern NSW, but grew up in country South Australia. I learned to fish in the southern Gulfs, Coorong Beach and the River Murray. I am from a fishing family — my Dad learned to fish on the Maroochy River, Qld and my Mum in the Ral Ral and other tribs of the Murray.
My childhood was filled with fishing experiences, and I love continuing to explore fishing with my Dad, Mum, my own two kids and my partner in fishing and in life, Grant.
I am a vocal advocate for diversity in the fishing sector. My position as Director of Habitat Programs at fishing conservation charity, OzFish, allows me the opportunity to be part of some key platforms to get this message across. I love supporting grass-roots families to take up and enjoy fishing for the first time and into the future. It truly is a past-time with endless benefits.
My favourite fishing experiences right now are with my kids in the estuary for gar, sand whiting and flathead, with Grant on the bank of any remote creek and with my Dad in the ocean.
Enjoy every moment!
Nikki Bryant
It all started when hubby and I decided to buy ourselves a boat, and with thee young kids, it was the start of many family fishing adventures. But it wasn’t until I discovered soft plastic lures that the passion really bit. Being able to cast out soft plastics for the kids and seeing the excitement in their eyes when they landed their fish (and doing the same myself) really got me going!
As the kids got older and more capable, I spent more time on my own fishing and boy did my passion grow! Firstly with flathead and then moving onto bream — both socially and entering competitions — it became an addiction that I have to feed.
I started “Purple Patch Fishing” as a way for me to share my passion with others and encourage women, and ultimately families, to crack the code to catching fish and create amazing memories together, just like I have done.
Your State Leading Ladies
Chrys Sackley
NT Prez
Emma-Louise Harvey
NT Veep
Kym-Cheree Adams
QLD Prez
Corinne Aiken
QLD Veep
Contact
executive@womensrecfishingleague.org
Address
PO Box 3042
TUROSS HEAD NSW 2537
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