'I've done the work': First female to coach a men's team in FNC rugby

The 42-year-old will create history when she takes the reins of the Southern Cross University Gold Rats first grade side when the season kicks off in April.

Beth comes to the club having worked as a coach and in pathways roles as high up as Super Rugby level in Queensland and Western Australia.

She has coached junior boys and men for more than a decade now, after growing up playing for Wollongbar-Alstonville, where her father Jim Fuggle was a coach and club president.

Beth moved back to the region two years ago to be closer to family after the floods.

She is studying a masters in law at SCU and is helping rebuild the rugby program from the ground up as its director of coaching.

"It's exciting, the club approached me about what direction they wanted to head in and it aligned with my way of thinking," Beth said.

"I am an alumni and a student, so it's great to be able to give something back to the university.

"Tim Breen approached me (from the Rats) and we shared our vision for the club with the university.

"They already had a similar vision that aligned with us and they've invested money back into the club.

"All of our senior players this year will get full use of the gym and pool as part of their membership with the Rats."

Beth said it is a proud moment to lead the way for female coaches and hopes it can inspire the next group of girls coming through.

"I'm really proud of it. Growing up I would have been the first girl playing locally when the junior competition started," she said.

"I love that all the young women we have playing now can see there is a pathway to have a future in the sport.

"We lose women to the game when they stop playing, now they can go on to be a manager or a coach or whatever they want to do."

Beth said being a female coach has had its challenges over the years.

However, she has never backed down from adversity, having overcome a battle with breast cancer 10 years ago.

The mother of four also had an operation on her spine last year, which she has fought back from.

"There has been some gender bias towards me over the years," she said.

"I did feel a bit of pressure that I had to prove myself as the only female coach in men's rugby for a long time.

"If I didn't win it was all because 'she can't do it' or 'she isn't good enough.'

"You can love me or hate, but I'm always keen to give back.

"Coaching is coaching and I don't think women should be pigeon-holed into coaching just women.

"I have a proven track record and I've worked really hard for the things I've accomplished.

"A lot of the things I've had is because I've done the work, I've found coaching mentors and gone into further education with rugby and mental health.

"You can't expect anything to be just handed to you and that's never been me."

Most recently Beth was the forwards coach for the Australian Raptors youth academy team who were undefeated in an overseas tour of Spain.

A big part of what she wants to do now is growing the game through nearby schools with a focus on mental health and creating a positive environment for players.

The men's program is just part of the excitement around the club with women and juniors to be part part of the rebuild phase.

The club will be making a massive effort to promote women and juniors moving forward.

"A big problem rugby has over the last 20 years is that we haven't engaged with the public schools," she said.

"There is a big opportunity having Trinity and Richmond River here with Lismore High School next door.

"We want to find ways to engage with these kids and bring them into the club."