The extended women’s rugby league program for 2018 will give the Western region’s top players an opportunity to make themselves known on the national stage.
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The recent announcement from Australian Rugby League means the upcoming year of play will feature an NRL Women’s Premiership, a National Championship and a State of Origin clash.
On top of the domestic changes the Jillaroos will also play more international matches.
A NSW Country side will compete in the National Championship.
Western will select their best players to head to a 13-a-side gala day in February, which doubles as a country selection trial.
St Pat’s and Western Rams coach Mick Armstrong said the future looks exciting for any women pursuing a career in rugby league.
“League tag has been a great way for women to get involved in rugby league without the contact. Then if they want to give contact a go they have the opportunity to do that,” he said.
“League tag being brought into Group 10 was the best thing that happened to the competition in a long time and I think we’re going to see a similar sort of growth in the tackle game.
“You’ve got the Jillaroos winning the world cup and that’s something everyone can aspire to do. I’m sure it’s going to inspire a lot of young girls to play.
“It was great to watch them play and it was better to watch than the men’s game because they threw the ball around more and played an exciting brand of football.”
St Pat’s showed what they were capable of in a strong Western Women’s Nines Tackle Rugby League campaign recently, a competition which brought Group 10 and 11 clubs together.
The Saints they were unable to attend the final round, along with other clubs, due the event’s late finish in the season.
Orange Hawks took out the competition to help cap off a strong season of football, which included a runner-up finish behind Pat’s in the Group 10 league tag competition.
Despite the early hiccup Armstrong said the competition could prove a valuable stepping stone for both Bathurst and Western players.
“I think the nines just needs a few things fixed up here and there,” he said.
“That’s no different from when we started league tag up. When we did that we only had five teams in the first year, and look at where the game is at now.”
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg made the announcement on Wednesday that the six-team women’s premiership will feature 40 centrally-contracted Jillaroos stars and match payments for all other players.