As the Cowboys NRLW team eyes a path to premiership glory in their first finals appearance this Saturday, they are also busy creating pathways off the field for the next generation.

Mackay-born Cowboys co-captain Emma Manzelmann had to leave north Queensland to kick off her NRLW career, but she is grateful future generations will not have to.

"When I went through there were no pathways, it was very hit and miss," she said.

"Now there's a stepping stone [outside of the major cities] for a little girl or teenager right through to adulthood."

The Cowboys have been improving since they joined the competition in 2023, when they finished second-last.

In 2024 they narrowly missed the top four, finishing the season in sixth place, but this year they are fourth and in the finals.

Throughout t

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