“When is the NRL going to have its own women’s competition?” If I had a dollar for every person who has asked me this question in the last six months, I would be a wealthy human being.
To have a successful women’s competition you need players. To have players you have to ensure adequate pathways exist.
Girls need to grow up knowing that rugby league is a sport that they can keep playing as they grow up and that there is an opportunity for them, down the track, to play at an elite level.
When I spoke with Todd Greenberg about this two weeks ago, he made it clear that the NRL’s approach was going to be to build the competition from the grassroots up.
This puts the focus squarely on building the talent pool and Todd mentioned that the NSWRL and QRL were working together to establish a means to go from the under-6 level all the way to elite.
I wondered how long it would be before an announcement would be announced. Turns out, I didn’t have to wait too long.
Yesterday, the NSWRL and QRL made a joint announcement that Harvey Norman had signed on to be the first major sponsor of women’s rugby league through the creation of an unbroken pathway from under-6 to representative competitions.
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The importance of this announcement cannot be underestimated.
Previously, there was a gap between mixed junior leagues and open-aged competitions. This meant that until they were 12 years old, girls were able to play rugby league with the boys, but then unlikely to continue playing after, due to limited opportunities.
This gap between 12 and 17 (which is the age women are able to begin playing rugby league again in the open division) meant many were lost to playing rugby league.
One of my favourite examples of this is Kasey Badger, who played until she was 12 and then decided to take up refereeing because she still wanted to be involved in the game.
I’m hopeful that this news means young women are no longer lost to playing rugby league.
Harvey Norman’s sponsorship will include the naming rights for both the NSW and Queensland Interstate Challenge teams, NSWRL Open Women’s Conference, NSWRL Women’s Premiership, women’s only coaching clinics and grassroots female carnivals and programs in both states.
Another question I get asked often is about the interstate women’s competition and why it’s not played as a double-header with State of Origin. 2017 is the last year of the current arrangement, which sees the U20s State of Origin played as a curtain-raiser before the men’s game. From next year on, the competition will be rebranded as State of Origin and played as a double-header with the men’s game.
Just tell me where to buy my tickets.
All this complements other work done by both states this year. NSWRL established the Tarsha Gale Cup (which is the equivalent to under-18s DC Ball and the Mal Meninga Cup in Queensland). In Queensland, the Karyn Murphy Cup was established across four age groups (11-12 years – Years 5 and 6 only, Years 7 and 8, Years 9 and 10, and Years 11 and 12).
Together, these competitions will ensure that the base of the female participation pyramid will be put in place and lead to a sustainable professional comp in the coming years.
I would also like to take this opportunity to praise the ongoing work of Harvey Norman in this space.
On Wednesday, Katie Page said, “Harvey Norman is committed to supporting the development of female player pathways at all levels of rugby league.” They are certainly an organisation that walks the walk and talks the talk.
Harvey Norman has been involved in rugby league for decades, but through their sponsorship of the Australian Jillaroos, touch football and the Greater Western Sydney Giants AFLW team, the company is a true leader in the support and sponsorship of women in sport.
Along with companies like Samsung, Chemist Warehouse and Buildcorp, the corporate world is helping to change the face of Australian sport. When will your company or organisation be brave enough to join them?
NRL women’s competition? We are well on the way!
Cricket
Who said the summer of cricket was over?
This week it was announced by the MCC that gender-neutral language will be included in the updated Laws of the Game. These changes will come into effect in October 2017.
However, while all 42 Laws of the Game will be written in language which applies to any person, regardless of their gender, the term ‘batsman’ will remain.
Water polo
Finally, I wanted to congratulate the Sydney Uni Lions water polo team, who defeated the Fremantle Lions 12-11 in the grand final of the National Water Polo League, held at Pymble Ladies College last weekend.
A tense affair, scores were drawn with a minute and a half to go, seeing the game decided in a penalty shoot-out.
This is an exceptional team, including two Olympians – Alicia Smith and Debbie Watson.
If water polo is not a sport you have taken much interest in, I encourage you to give it a go (whether in the water or on television). I played when I was younger and it is extremely demanding, requiring an exceptional level of fitness.
Having studied at Sydney Uni, I guess that means that the Lions are my adopted team.
Until next week, I hope you all have an egg-cellent Easter weekend.
Mandrake
Guest
Crosscoder claimed the Gold medal winning girls Rugby borrowed from other sports perhaps because there weren't many pathways for women rugby players and now you want to raid the Pacific islands to get players!!!!
Justin Kearney
Guest
You are correct as usual crosscoder. I attended the 2013 affiliated states carnival and talking to many of the women there they wanted to play tackle and they wanted a lot more respect and support from the nrl. They now play tackle thank goodness. I just hope the nrl looks further than qld and nsw for its future playing pool as the opportunties for growth are out there.
Johnny Dalmas
Guest
There has been interstate women's Australian Rules Football since at least 1992. The VWFL started in 1981, the WAWFL in 1988, and the SAWFL in 1991. The first National Women's Championship championship was held in 1992. The difference in 2017 was that the AFL decided to run its own competition, once again ignoring non-AFL. traditions in Australian Rules Football in favour of their own club branding, etc.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Nothing wrong with Canada sourcing players from other sports. Some of the rugby 7s players' prior sports:- Ellia Green.Athletics Alicia Quirk Touch then rugby Sharni Williams hockey then rugby Chloe Dalton basketball Charlotte Caslick Touch Emma Tonegato Jillaroos rugby league. Which was my point in responding to Stealer's sarcasm.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The NRL at times is slow off the mark, absolutely agree. Thus I thought the pathways now being introduced, was not to put the cart before the horse.IOW a strong junior base growing to the top.Late yes ,but certainly the only way to do it responsibly. They want quality when they get to the Premiership stage, not raw recruits. It was 2015 before women had tackle teams in the affiliated states matches ,involving Vic/SA/NT/WA. Getting a sponsor such as Harvey Norman on board is a decent start, but still some way to go.
Justin Kearney
Guest
I agree stuart. And the nrl should be out there right now growing the womens game across the pacific islands so we have an international womens comp. To do that it would need to play it smart getting corporate and government support. Now!
Stuart McLennan
Expert
For a women's competition to be successful the NRL needs to own it and put a large amount of resources behind it as the AFL did. Also the Sometimes hostile mainstream media in the northern states should be worked AFL style to ensure the competition is highlighted and promoted.
Dmak
Guest
Australian Rules does have Women's state teams from all Australian States and Territories they have competed in the National Championships since 1992 . Victoria is still the strongest but NSW,WA and QLD are close behind. Australia does not have a National Senior Women's Team but there is a National Youth Girls team that plays against the NZ Youth Girls team annually . As I have there said Australian does not have a senior Representative team as they would be too strong but plenty of other countries do. They may not be professional players but around ten National women's teams will be traveling to Australia from across the world to play in the international cup later this year.
Big Daddy
Guest
Norad, The NRL like to work backwards. Putting the cart before the horse so to speak. They have created the national team and are working backwards. Sure women's league has been around for quite a while but the AFL got the jump by putting a national women's comp on TV. Sure the quality was probably not there but they have been proactive with this. Also I think channel 7 might have had a hand in this. Not only are these codes competing for expansion but the TV channels like to get one up on the other.
Norad
Guest
Tired of AFL being portrayed as inventing women's footy. The rugby league womens teams have been going at state and international level for 30 years. So why isn't that given higher status than the AFLW club competition? The only reason is that the AFL don't have state and international womens teams. Serioulsy the NRL and league media couldn't sell ice cream in the desert.
Big Daddy
Guest
They probably took one of the best in Mahalia Murphy and she didn't go to Rio.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
You don't do too much research do you Mathew?.England and PNG have women's teams playing in the Cup.Noted you ignored that point.It's not hard to spell it out. Most smart provocateurs from other codes come armed with the full facts.You have been found wanting once again. Secondly whilst Canada is indeed looking for talent for their squad, the Australian women's rugby 7s initially chased around looking for talent for their Olympics training squad.And by golly by gosh, a couple came over from rugby league apparently.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Plenty of opposion already mathew. Just check the irlf website. You will love it!
Justin Kearney
Guest
Whilst this is great news it is a pity there is no mention of developing the womens game outside nsw and Qland. Still it is start. Lets wait and see.
Mathew Stealer
Guest
Just need other countries to play the Jillaroos now! Canada will have a team soon they've been advertising on facebook for Aussies to play for them
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Another great thread Mary. Finally we are seeing some action, thanks now to Katie Page( Harvey Norman) who is a wonderful supporter of women's sport ,covering many codes in this country. The most important factor here ,is knowing the development( via the pathways set up) is from the grassroots to the top.Not beginning at the top, making it top heavy.And at times unwieldy. The need to build a sold growing young base is essential, for the eventual professional competition which looks like a certainty. From what I have witnessed with the Jillaroos and Ferns games,the skill levels of these young ladies is amazing.As indeed their athleticism.