The Queensland Rugby League have been big supporters of the Women’s game for many years and each year have been putting increased resources towards providing more opportunities for women and girls to be involved in the game.
Player participation is one of the key areas of growth and earlier this year, Under 14 Girls competed in the QRL Junior State Championships for the first time.
Held in Toowoomba, the addition of a second girls’ age group (Under 16 girls have been competing at the carnival for a number of years) was welcomed by all, with the players adding to the atmosphere of the carnival which was contested by QRL’s three Divisions – South East, Northern and Central.
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In the representative arena – the Queensland Women’s team were provided with a Player Allowance for Out of Pocket Expenses for the first time this year.
This follows a similar format to that adopted by the NRL in 2014 for the national Jillaroos team who are lead on the field by Queensland Women’s team captain Steph Hancock.
The Women’s Interstate Challenge was played last month, with Queensland going down 8-4 in a hard-fought loss against NSW who claimed the Nellie Doherty Cup for the first time in history, bringing Queensland’s remarkable undefeated 17-year reign to an end.
The Queensland Women’s team also had the support of a team sponsor this year, with the players proudly representing sleeve sponsors Samios.
Members of the 1980 Initiative (a business-orientated support group formed in partnership with the QRL and FOGS) jumped at the chance to promote the Women’s game and were quick to cement their support this year.
Those involved in sponsoring the team in 2016 are: Scott Wood, Joe Rissman, Mick Power, Tony Williamson, Darren Marchant and Brian Webb. Webb’s company Samios Plumbing Supplies was selected to be the nominated sponsor of the team.
Intrust Super Cup clubs show their support
The Intrust Super Cup clubs are also getting into the spirit of the #WomenInLeague round, with a number of clubs hosting events or wearing special jerseys for their games this weekend.
The Norths Devils will face off against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls this weekend and will be hosting a Ladies Day to help celebrate the round. Yellow Tail are sponsoring the event and all women attending the game will be seated in the corporate area with wine tasting, finger food, giveaways and much more.
Download the flyer for the Norths Devils Ladies Day here
Up north, the Mackay Cutters are offering free entry for women to the game, while the team will don pink jerseys on the field against the Tweed Heads Seagulls. After the game, the jerseys will be auctioned with all proceeds going to the Pink Ribbon Charity Fair. There will also be a women’s game played at the ground at 2pm before the Intrust Super Cup game.
The CQ Capras are calling on their supporters to wear their best pink gear and come out early to their match against Souths to watch a women’s game. Emu Park will play Tannum Sands at the curtain-raiser game to the Intrust Super Cap match at Browne Park.
Download the flyer for the Capras Women in League match here
Easts Tigers are proud to present their Women in League Round this Sunday. The game will be at Suzuki Stadium, Langlands Park and will support the Wesley Hospital Choices Cancer Support Centre.
The Wesley Hospital Choices Cancer Support Centre can provide a welcoming space where you and your family are given practical and emotional support. All of their services are free of charge and suitable for both men and women.
Download the Easts Tigers flyer here
Northern Pride will host their 10th home game of the Intrust Super Cup season this Sunday and will showcase a number of women’s and girls’ games to help support #WomenInLeague. Gates open at 11.15am at Barlow Park.
11.30am Curtain Raiser 1: Under 16 Girls Cairns v Cassowary Coast
1pm Curtain Raiser 2: Open Women's Cairns v PNG
3pm Intrust Super Cup Game: Sea Swift Northern Pride v Townsville Blackhawks
