Teitzel, who only learned she would be captain on Monday, joined the five other club's skippers at Dixon Park surf club on Tuesday for the NRLW season launch.

NRL boss Andrew Abdo spoke glowingly about the growth of the women's game at the event, citing an explosion in player numbers over the past five years.

"In 2017, only 10,000 registered participants were playing women's rugby league," Abdo said. "Today, we have over 30,000 registered participants playing this game at all ages all over the country.

"We have 500 referees ... 1500 coaches and we're not going to stop there. Over the next three years we want to double those numbers."

The growth continues on Sunday when the Knights take on the Parramatta Eels as part of an historic triple-header to open the season at McDonald Jones Stadium.

The Knights and Eels, along with the Gold Coast Titans, were added to the competition for this season, joining foundation clubs the Brisbane Broncos, St George Illawarra Dragons and Sydney Roosters.

Knights captain Teitzel, originally from Townsville, said her side was embracing the historic nature of the club's inaugural season and first match on Sunday.

"It's a very special year for the Newcastle Knights. There's a very strong fan base here in the community and I think the Knights NRLW season and the team that has been announced, it's going to be very special and one to remember," Teitzel said.

"A lot has gone into the history of the club and what this is going to mean for the community. It all speaks for itself just how much the club and the players are invested."

The Knights squad is made up of 10 local players, nine from New Zealand and seven from Queensland.

The side named on Tuesday for the Eels match features multiple debutants and fullback Teitzel, the player of the year in the Queensland state competition last year, expects they will shine on debut.

"I am very excited to see a lot of the girls. I obviously played with the North Queensland girls that have come down so I'm well aware of their capabilities, but the New Zealand girls I think they bring great aspects to the team; very different, all very strong athletes and very skilled," she said.

"But also some of the local girls they've really shown their talent during the pre-season and are very hard workers and deserving of the opportunity they've been given."

Teitzel only learned she would be captain on Monday ahead of the announcement made at the NRL side's trial that night and she said it came as a surprise given the quality of players and experience in the NRLW squad.

"A bit unexpected, we have some great leaders in our squad," Teitzel, 22, said.

"Obviously Caitlan Johnston just led the [Indigenous] All Stars to the trophy there and Krystal Rota is an international captain as well."

The Knights play the Eels at 3.40pm in the third match at Broadmeadow on Sunday.

1. Romy Teitzel (C)

2. Katelyn Vaha'akolo

3. Jayme Fressard

4. Bobbi Law

5. Katie Green

6. Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly

7. Tahlulah Tillett

8. Caitlan Johnston

9. Krystal Rota

10. Annetta Nuuausala

11. Rangimarie Edwards-Bruce

12. Georgia Page

13. Charntay Poko

Interchange:

14. Emma Manzelmann

15. Charlotte Scanlan

16. Phoebe Desmond

17. Kirra Dibb

Extended Bench:

18. Maitua Feterika

19. Kyra Simon

20. Ngatokotoru Arakua

21. Chantelle Graham