The biggest schoolgirls Rugby League competition ever to be held in NSW will take place at Macquarie University today (Thursday, 24 August) with more than 500 girls taking part in the inaugural Female State Finals Day.
The 32-team tournament showcases primary and secondary schools from Sydney’s metropolitan and regional areas across NSW including Coffs Harbour, Tweed Heads and Bourke in four divisions – Year 5/6, Year 7/8, Under 16s and Opens.
A joint initiative of the NSWRL and NRL, the stand-alone event combines the women’s categories from NSWRL’s All Schools Carnival and the NRL Legends Shield, making it the state’s largest female schoolgirls competition.
NSWRL CEO David Trodden said the inaugural Female State Finals Day is a special occasion acknowledging and celebrating the next generation of female Rugby League talent in NSW and the unbroken pathway that now exists.
“Women’s Rugby League is one of the fastest-growing areas of the game. This stand-alone tournament only highlights the importance of women in our game and the direction we are taking,” Trodden said.
“The inaugural Female State Finals is yet another step in paving the way for girls to play in the state’s elite women’s competition, the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership.”
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said: “We are fortunate to have hundreds of thousands of female players, coaches, administrators and fans as part of our game.
“It is wonderful to lead a game that is truly inclusive and committed in its resolve to promoting and strengthening the future of girls and women playing, participating, cheering on and working within Rugby League.”
The Female State Finals Day are streaming live on the NSWRL and NRL websites from 9am this morning.
