THE NRL Women in League round kicks off this weekend, an event that commemorates and celebrates all women involved within the rugby league community.
Women who are mothers, coaches, managers, administrators, supporters, the list is endless, and most importantly for the Brisbane and District Women’s competition, the players.
The Brisbane and District Women’s competition has grown from eight teams in 2012, to 10 in 2013 and now in 2014, the competition hosts 14 teams, split into two Divisions; it would possibly have to be one of Australia’s biggest and talent-laden women’s rugby league competitions.
Being involved with this competition for three years now, you notice the great impact and effect these women’s teams have on their clubs and the progression of women in the game.
Pine Rivers support Kim Walters Choices
This weekend, the Pine Rivers JRLC will be commemorating the Women in League round with a massive fundraiser for the “Kim Walters Choices Program”.
It kicks off on Saturday morning with their junior teams hosting to Roma until 12pm, with all the Pine Rivers juniors sporting the ‘Women in League’ purple socks.
At 1pm, their women’s team will take the field, followed by their Open Men’s Division 2 and Division 3.
At the conclusion of each Open Women’s and Men’s game, players will be auctioning off their custom ‘Women in League’ pink jerseys.
Pine Rivers Junior League Club Chairperson, Michelle McCullagh, has been involved with the club for six years now and holds high regards for the Women in League round.
“The Women in League round gives our club a chance to celebrate and thank all the hard work put into the everyday running of the club by our wonderful female volunteers,” she said.
“This also extends to the girls and women we have playing at the club. Our club has a wonderful history of having strong women running and playing for our club and it is great to be able to celebrate this each year.”
McCullagh also revealed a women’s team is something Pine Rivers has strived to achieve for many years.
“Our women have brought new life into the club. It is a great thing for our club, as it gives all our young girls something to aim for, because there are a lot of young girls who want to play, but have always only been ever able to play until they are 12.
“Seeing that we have a women’s team gives them something to aim for as there are a lot of girls who love their rugby league just as much as the men.
“We would like to keep this culture going and have it culminate into having girls teams in the younger age groups in the years to come.”
Pine Rivers JLC have definitely set a great benchmark in regards to their Women in League celebrations this season.
Weekend preview:
On May 17-18, seven women’s games will be played out all across South-East Queensland.
In Division 1 on Saturday, Beerwah will take on Carina at Leo Williams Oval at 3pm. North Ipswich will take on Burleigh at Nerang Junior Rugby League at 3pm.
On Sunday, Souths Logan will host Aspley at Davies Park at 3.50pm
Souths Logan sit in top position on the ladder with 11 points, Beerwah are close behind on 9 points, Burleigh sit in third on 7 points, North Ipswich on 5 points, Carina sit in fifth with 3 points and Aspley sit in sixth with 1 point.
In Division 2 on Saturday, Pine Rivers will host Waterford at Matheson Oval at 1pm. Wynnum will take on Capalaba at Capalaba at 1:30pm. West Inala will host Burpengary at JC Greenfield Complex at 1.30pm.
On Sunday, the Swifts will Journey to Gold Park to take on the Toowoomba Fillies at 12.30pm.
Pine Rivers, Toowoomba and Burpengary all sit at the top of the ladder on 8 points each. Waterford and Swifts sit closely behind on 6 points each. West Inala sit in seventh position on 2 points and Capalaba sit in eighth with no points, as of yet.
If you’re nearby a hosting club, get down and support the Women’s games and celebrate the Women in League round; in thanks to those women who do rugby league proud, on and off the field.
