Gould visited the players last week during their captain's run and will attend each week for another training session.

"They've had their challenges like the men's team this year," he said. "It's just me saying the senior people at the club are very much behind you and we are very appreciative of what you are doing ... and go get them."

Warriors halfback and former Jillaroo Simone Smith said she was "blown away" when told that Gould would be joining each week's captains run.

Last week, ahead of their first game of the season against the Broncos, Gould sat the side down and spoke about the importance of the women's game.

"It gave you goosebumps listening to him," Smith said. "He's obviously a very big icon in the game and we felt all very privileged to have him give up his time to come down."

Smith said his speech was huge "motivation" for the side going into the season, after such a turbulent few weeks.

"The last thing he said was I don't really give anyone good luck; I say that players make their own good luck so that was pretty funny, but a fair point," she said.

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Gould said that while he will enjoy his time during the NRLW season, he is eager to get over to New Zealand once borders open to dive into his new role.

"I want to see what needs to be done; pathways for both men and women is extremely important," he said. "New Zealand is very, very important to our game and it's important to the international game."