Ipswich Jets have announced that from the 2022 season, the club will be fielding a team in the Queensland Rugby League’s Harvey Norman Under 19 girls competition.
This past season, Ipswich fielded a team in the competition that was administered by Rugby League Ipswich, but with their blessing, the players are expected to join with the Jets to be part of their program next year.
The Jets formally acknowledged and thanked Rugby League Ipswich for all of their hard work and endeavours to get the program up and running.
“We intend to build on and increase this important area of women’s sport,” Jets CEO Richard Hughes said.
The inclusion of the team is the first step in creating pathways for players to progress into the BHP Premiership women’s competition, which the Jets intend to enter in 2023, which would translate to the club fielding teams in six grades of elite football representing the Jets brand and name by 2023.
“These are exciting times with even more exciting times to come,” Hughes said.
The inclusion of the Harvey Norman Under 19 girls team will add to the elite female athletes the club already has involved in their netball programs.
Expressions of interest for any players who are keen to be part of the club’s new program will be released shortly and advertised through the Ipswich Jets website and social media.
Coaching appointments will also be announced in due course.
The club are also inviting anyone interested in being part of this foundation year for the Under 19 Harvey Norman girls team as a sponsor to reach out to the club, with all partners who come on at foundation level given first opportunity to be involved with the women’s BHP Premiership side in 2023.
