The nib Newcastle Knights welcome the NRL’s announcement of an NRL’s Women’s Premiership on Wednesday.
The NRL unveiled a program of events covering everything from an NRL Women’s Premiership to a stand-alone State of Origin match and Jillaroos international matches.
“This is great for the game and will certainly continue the momentum following Sunday’s World Cup victory for the Jillaroos,” CEO Philip Gardner said.
The NRL Women’s Premiership will feature up to six teams aligned with NRL Clubs and be scheduled to be played as ‘double-headers’ in the lead up to and during NRL Finals matches, to ensure the women’s teams are given the chance to play on the biggest stage.
The new program will also include:
- A stand-alone State of Origin match (formerly known as the Interstate Challenge) between New South Wales and Queensland, played during the NRL’s representative weekend in mid-June
- State League competitions, with Grand Finals to be played as double-headers prior to Women In League Round matches
- A National Championships Carnival and Talent Combine, congregating the best state talent on a national stage and providing a sequential pathway for female players to progress to the elite level
- The Harvey Norman Jillaroos playing international matches in the Pacific and New Zealand
- The Jillaroos competing in the Commonwealth Games Championship in Redcliffe, ahead of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games
From here, the Knights will put in a bid for a franchise to become one of the six teams in the NRL Premiership.
“While there is still a lot to be worked out to ensure long-term success for the women’s game, we will be putting in an application to have the Knights represented in this competition,” Gardner added.
