The immediate future of Australia’s elite women’s rugby league competition, the NRLW, has been secured after the ARLC approved the continuation of the 2020 season, starting as planned in September.
The financial impacts of the coronavirus had raised fears over the competition’s viability but the ARLC on Tuesday announced this year’s campaign would go ahead in the run-up to the already-confirmed standalone Women’s State of Origin match on 13 November.
“The women’s game is a very important element of rugby league,” ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said. “We are very proud of our achievements in the women’s game and we should be providing it the significance it deserves.
“I want to thank the clubs for their commitment to women’s sport and the players themselves for their understanding as we worked through this process.
“I also want to thank our broadcast partners Channel Nine and Foxtel for their ongoing commitment to the women’s game.”
The NRLW will remain a four-team competition in 2020, comprising the Roosters, Dragons, Broncos and Warriors. The grand final to be played on the same day as the men’s NRL title decider on Sunday 25 October.
