{{short description|Australian rugby league footballer (born 1982)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}} {{Use Australian English|date=March 2015}} {{Infobox rugby league biography |name = Steph Hancock |fullname = Stephanie Hancock |image = |imagesize = |caption = |birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1982|3|9}} |birth_place = Killarney, Queensland, Australia |height = {{convert|172|cm|ftin|abbr=on}} |weight = {{convert|92|kg|stlb|abbr=on}} |position = {{rlp|PR}} |club1 = {{nowrap|Brisbane Broncos}} |year1start = 2018 |year1end = 19 |appearances1 = 8 |tries1 = 0 |goals1 = 0 |fieldgoals1 = 0 |points1 = 0 |club2 = St George Illawarra |year2start = 2020 |year2end = present |appearances2 = 10 |tries2 = 0 |goals2 = 0 |fieldgoals2 = 0 |points2 = 0 |club3 = {{nowrap|Gold Coast Titans}} |year3start = 2021 |year3end = 23 |appearances3 = 22 |tries3 = 8 |goals3 = 0 |fieldgoals3 = 0 |points3 = 32 |teamA = Australia |yearAstart = 2003 |yearAend = 18 |appearancesA = 20 |triesA = 5 |goalsA = 0 |fieldgoalsA = 0 |pointsA = 20 |teamB = Queensland |yearBstart = 2004 |yearBend = 20 |appearancesB = 16 |triesB = 7 |goalsB = |fieldgoalsB = 0 |pointsB = 30 |teamC = {{nowrap|Women's All Stars}} |yearCstart = 2011 |yearCend = 17 |appearancesC = 7 |triesC = 0 |goalsC = 0 |fieldgoalsC = 0 |pointsC = 0 |retired = |source = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Steph Hancock - Career Stats & Summary |url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/steph-hancock/summary.html |access-date=2020-10-17 |website=Rugby League Project}}</ref> |updated = 1 November 2023 | module = {{infobox person | embed = yes | father = Rohan Hancock | mother = | spouse = | education = | alma_mater = | relatives = }} }}
'''Stephanie Hancock''' (born 9 March 1982) is an Australian rugby league footballer who plays for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL Women's Premiership.
Primarily a {{rlp|pr}}, she is a Queensland and Australia representative, winning two World Cups in 2013 and 2017. She previously played for the Brisbane Broncos, winning two premierships in 2018 and 2019.
==Background== Born in Killarney, Queensland, Hancock played her junior rugby league for the Eastern Suburbs Hornets in Warwick.
Her father, Rohan, is a former Queensland and Australian representative.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walsh |first=Gerard |date=2015-05-04 |title=Jillaroos defeat Kiwi Ferns 22-14 |work=The Queensland Times |url=https://www.qt.com.au/news/australian-jillaroos-defeat-kiwi-ferns-22-14/2626933/ |url-status=live |access-date=2020-10-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020203551/https://www.qt.com.au/news/australian-jillaroos-defeat-kiwi-ferns-22-14/2626933/ |archive-date=2020-10-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-09-20 |title=How the daughters of Wally Lewis and Rohan Hancock are making their own history |work=Gold Coast Bulletin |url=https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/queensland/state-of-origin-how-the-daughters-of-wally-lewis-and-rohan-hancock-are-making-their-own-history/news-story/121a15c9061399e3de8cc98ff5c89b95 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017120919/https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/queensland/state-of-origin-how-the-daughters-of-wally-lewis-and-rohan-hancock-are-making-their-own-history/news-story/121a15c9061399e3de8cc98ff5c89b95 |archive-date=2020-10-17}}</ref> They are the first ever father-daughter pair to represent Queensland and Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newton |first=Alicia |date=2019-12-11 |title=Legend Q&A: Stephanie Hancock |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/12/11/legend-qa-stephanie-hancock/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018221457/https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/12/11/legend-qa-stephanie-hancock/ |archive-date=2020-10-18 |website=National Rugby League}}</ref>
==Playing career== In 2003, Hancock made her Test debut for Australia at the 2003 Women's Rugby League World Cup.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Zara |date=2017-12-01 |title=Women in footy: Mum and police officer Steph Hancock tells us what it's really like |url=https://www.mamamia.com.au/steph-hancock-rugby-league/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017120920/https://www.mamamia.com.au/steph-hancock-rugby-league/ |archive-date=2020-10-17 |access-date=2020-10-17 |website=Mama Mia}}</ref> In 2004, she made her debut for Queensland in their win over New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walsh |first=Gerald |date=2018-06-21 |title=State of Origin double for family on Southern Downs |work=Warwick Daily News |url=https://www.warwickdailynews.com.au/news/state-of-origin-double-for-family-on-southern-down/3448269/ |url-status=live |access-date=2020-10-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018221503/https://www.warwickdailynews.com.au/news/state-of-origin-double-for-family-on-southern-down/3448269/ |archive-date=2020-10-18}}</ref> Hancock became a regular for both Australia and Queensland over the next 15 years, playing in nine straight wins for Queensland.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Webeck |first=Tony |date=2016-07-18 |title='If Queensland lose I'll give it away' |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2016/07/18/if-queensland-lose-ill-give-it-away/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017083951/https://www.nrl.com/news/2016/07/18/if-queensland-lose-ill-give-it-away/ |archive-date=2020-10-17 |access-date=2020-10-17 |website=National Rugby League}}</ref>
In 2008, she played in her second World Cup, with Australia losing 0–34 to New Zealand in the final.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Gardiner |first1=Peter |last2=Walsh |first2=Gerard |date=2008-11-08 |title=World Cup victory for Stephanie, Jo |work=Warwick Daily News |url=https://www.warwickdailynews.com.au/news/apn-world-cup-victory-for-stephanie/124143/ |url-status=live |access-date=2020-10-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018052825/https://www.warwickdailynews.com.au/news/apn-world-cup-victory-for-stephanie/124143/ |archive-date=2020-10-18}}</ref> On 14 July 2013, Hancock was a member of the Australian side that defeated New Zealand 22–12 in the World Cup final at Headingley Rugby Stadium.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walsh |first=Gerard |date=2013-07-15 |title=Jillaroos win women's rugby league World Cup |work=The Queensland Times |url=https://www.qt.com.au/news/jillaroos-win-womens-rugby-league-world-cup/1944872/ |url-status=live |access-date=2020-10-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018024853/https://www.qt.com.au/news/jillaroos-win-womens-rugby-league-world-cup/1944872/ |archive-date=2020-10-18}}</ref>
On 7 November 2014, she was named captain of Australia, a position she held until 2017, replacing the retiring Karyn Murphy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-11-07 |title=Hancock named Jillaroos captain |url=https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2014/11/07/hancock-named-jillaroos-captain/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027225720/https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2014/11/07/hancock-named-jillaroos-captain/ |archive-date=2020-10-27 |access-date=2020-10-17 |website=Queensland Rugby League}}</ref> On 2 December 2017, she started at {{rlp|pr}} for Australia in their 23–16 World Cup final win over New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-12-02 |title=Australia sink New Zealand to retain Women's Rugby League Cup |work=The Guardian |agency=Australian Associated Press |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/02/rugby-league-jillaroos-defend-world-cup-title-in-style |access-date=2020-10-17}}</ref>
===2018=== In June, Hancock represented Queensland Country at the inaugural Women's National Championships.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newton |first=Alicia |date=2018-05-29 |title=Women's Nationals the perfect Origin appetiser |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/05/29/womens-national-championships-the-perfect-origin-appetiser/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929205515/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/05/29/womens-national-championships-the-perfect-origin-appetiser/ |archive-date=2020-09-29 |website=National Rugby League}}</ref> On 21 June, she signed with the Brisbane Broncos NRL Women's Premiership team.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-06-21 |title=Four More NRLW Signings |url=https://www.broncos.com.au/news/2018/06/21/four-more-nrlw-signings/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021124746/https://www.broncos.com.au/news/2018/06/21/four-more-nrlw-signings/ |archive-date=2020-10-21 |website=Brisbane Broncos}}</ref>
In Round 1 of the 2018 NRL Women's season, Hancock made her debut in the Broncos' 30–4 win over the St George Illawarra Dragons. On 30 September, she came off the bench in the Broncos' 34–12 Grand Final win over the Sydney Roosters.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.broncos.com.au/news/2018/10/02/hancock-lost-for-words-after-winning-nrlw-grand-final/ |title=Hancock Lost For Words After Winning NRLW Grand Final |date=2018-10-01 |publisher=Brisbane Broncos |access-date=2020-10-17}}</ref>
===2019=== In May, she represented Queensland Country at the Women's National Championships.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newton |first=Alicia |date=2019-05-22 |title=Line-ups named for Women's National Championships |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/05/22/line-ups-named-for-womens-national-championships/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010093012/https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/05/22/line-ups-named-for-womens-national-championships/ |archive-date=2020-10-10 |access-date=2020-10-17 |website=National Rugby League}}</ref> On 6 October, she came off the bench in the Broncos' 30–6 Grand Final win over the Dragons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Chris |date=2019-10-06 |title=NRLW grand final: Broncos player ratings |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/10/06/nrlw-grand-final-broncos-player-ratings/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016201718/https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/10/06/nrlw-grand-final-broncos-player-ratings/ |archive-date=2020-10-16 |access-date=2020-10-17 |website=National Rugby League}}</ref>
===2020=== On 24 September, Hancock joined the St George Illawarra Dragons for the 2020 NRL Women's season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-24 |title=Dragons confirm 2020 NRL Women's Premiership squad |url=https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2020/09/24/dragons-confirm-2020-nrl-womens-premiership-squad/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016014356/https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2020/09/24/dragons-confirm-2020-nrl-womens-premiership-squad/ |archive-date=2020-10-16 |access-date=2020-10-17 |website=St. George Illawarra Dragons}}</ref>
On 13 November, Hancock scored a try in Queensland's 24–18 State of Origin win over New South Wales.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-11-16 |title=Queensland Maroons rookies upstage NSW Blues in Women's State of Origin clash |work=Sporting News |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/queensland-maroons-rookies-upstage-nsw-blues-in-womens-state-of-origin-clash/11ejhezu21kko1mimaotdtihhi |url-status=live |access-date=2020-12-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116200940/https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/queensland-maroons-rookies-upstage-nsw-blues-in-womens-state-of-origin-clash/11ejhezu21kko1mimaotdtihhi |archive-date=2020-11-16}}</ref> She retired from representative rugby league following the match, her 16th for Queensland.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Balym |first=Todd |date=2020-11-14 |title=Maroons great Hancock retires from rep footy a winner |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/11/14/maroons-great-hancock-retires-from-rep-footy-a-winner/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113233507/https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/11/14/maroons-great-hancock-retires-from-rep-footy-a-winner/ |archive-date=2020-11-13 |access-date=2020-12-09 |website=National Rugby League}}</ref>
==Achievements and accolades==
===Individual=== *'''QRL Representative Player of the Year''': 2013, 2018
===Team=== *'''2013 Women's Rugby League World Cup''': Australia – Winners *'''2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup''': Australia – Winners *'''2018 NRLW Grand Final''': Brisbane Broncos – Winners *'''2019 NRLW Grand Final''': Brisbane Broncos – Winners
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.dragons.com.au/teams/womens-premiership/st-george-illawarra-dragons-women/stephanie-hancock St George Illawarra Dragons profile] {{Brisbane Broncos squad - 2018 NRLW premiers}} {{Brisbane Broncos squad - 2019 NRLW premiers}} {{Australian 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup Squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hancock, Steph}} Category:1982 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century Australian sportswomen Category:Australian female rugby league players Category:Australia women's national rugby league team players Category:Brisbane Broncos (NRLW) players Category:Gold Coast Titans (NRLW) players Category:Queensland Rugby League State of Origin Women players Category:People from the Darling Downs Category:Rugby league props Category:Rugby league players from Queensland Category:Sportswomen from Queensland Category:St. George Illawarra Dragons (NRLW) players Category:Women's All Stars players