Women's rugby league

Last updated
Women's rugby league
Highest governing body International Rugby League
NicknamesLeague, RL, rugby, rugby XIII (used throughout Europe)
League, footy, football (used throughout Oceania)
Characteristics
Contact Full Contact
Team membersThirteen
Mixed-sex Single
Type Team sport, Outdoor
Equipment Rugby ball
Venue Rugby league playing field

Women's rugby league is the female-only version of rugby league.

Contents

The sport has growing more popular in Australia, France, Great Britain, and New Zealand. These countries regularly compete in the Women's Rugby League World Cup which has been in operation since 2000.

Governing bodies

International Rugby League

As with men's rugby league, the international game and national governing bodies are overseen by the International Rugby League.

National bodies

Australian Women's Rugby League

The Australian Rugby League Commission and National Rugby League are the governing bodies of female rugby league in Australia.

From its establishment in 1993, the Australian Women's Rugby League was the governing body of female rugby league in Australia and other parts of Oceania. It took the association five years to be recognized by the ARL. From 1998, the AWRL was an affiliate of the ARL. The AWRL ran the Australia women's national rugby league team and National Championships. Affiliated to the AWRL were state-level governing organisations in the Queensland Women's Rugby League, New South Wales Women's Rugby League, Canberra Women's Rugby League and the Western Australian Women's Rugby League.

Following the advent of the Australian Rugby League Commission in 2012, the duties of the AWRL were absorbed by the ARLC and NRL.

The main women's competitions in Australia are the National Rugby League Women's Premiership, New South Wales Women's Rugby League and the Queensland Rugby League Women's Premiership.

Rugby Football League

The Rugby Football League is the governing body of female rugby league in the United Kingdom; although some activity is run by the independent Women's Amateur Rugby League Association established in 1985. With women's rugby becoming increasingly popular, the RFL has taken more control in running women's competitions.

At the beginning of the 2006 season there were between thirty and forty female-only rugby league clubs running in England, not including clubs that have teams of both sexes. [1] The majority of these clubs are located in Lancashire and Yorkshire.

The RFL began control of the female sport in 2013 with the launch of the RFL Women's Rugby League. This became the RFL Women's Super League in 2017 as the top level women's rugby league competition in the United Kingdom.

At international level the Great Britain women's national rugby league team represented the whole of Great Britain; however in 2006 the RFL announced that after the 2007 All Golds Tour the Great Britain team would no longer compete on a regular basis, favouring national teams for the home nations of England, Scotland, and Wales.

New Zealand Rugby League

Women's rugby league in New Zealand is controlled by the New Zealand Rugby League . The national side is called the Kiwi Ferns. The NZRL Women's National Tournament is a competition for female rugby league teams. Women have been playing rugby in New Zealand since the 19th century. [2]

International

The following list of nations that compete, or have competed, internationally in women's rugby league.
Table last updated: 18 October 2024.

NationMonikerRank
[3] 		VenuesMatRecordDebutLast
HANWDLPFPAOYearOppRef
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina NR0101001048192018Flag of Brazil.svg BRA [4] 2018
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Jillaroos13118126136025173186711995Flag of New Zealand.svg NZL [5] [6] 2024
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil Amazonas12112410368164192018Flag of Argentina.svg ARG [4] 2022
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Ravens816613706266342172017Flag of New Zealand.svg NZL [7] [8] 2023
Flag of the Cook Islands.svg  Cook Islands Moana60491341816249462003Flag of New Zealand.svg NZL [9] 2023
Flag of England.svg  England Lionessess31520742301111366464112007Flag of France.svg FRA [10] 2024
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji Bulikula2620241034014641998Flag of Australia (converted).svg AUS [11] [12] 2023
Flag of France.svg  France Les Bleues4171093671285321252112007Flag of England.svg ENG [10] 2024
Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana 2512030033084302023Flag of Nigeria.svg NGR [13] 2024
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain LionessessNR410418711024533831996Flag of Australia (converted).svg AUS [14] [15] 2003
Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 9441940586204232019Flag of Turkey.svg TUR [16] [17] 2024
Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland 102417502136126252021Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg WAL [18] 2024
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 184408305108238152017Flag of Lebanon.svg LBN [19] 2024
Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 23200200210136292023Flag of the United States.svg USA [20] [21] 2023
Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 19320530210651332023Flag of Uganda.svg UGA [22] [23] 2024
Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon Junipers271001001022152017Flag of Italy.svg ITA [19] 2017
Flag of Malta.svg  Malta Dames200022101642272022Flag of the Philippines.svg PHI [24] 2023
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands Lionessess1313042028870322023Flag of Greece.svg GRE [25] 2024
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Kiwi Ferns22419176049011203658911995Flag of Australia (converted).svg AUS [6] [5] 2023
Tino Rangatiratanga Maori sovereignty movement flag.svg NZ Māori Wahine ToaNR7511360723827452002Flag of New Zealand.svg NZL [26] 2017
Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria Green Falcons21230540110652302023Flag of Ghana.svg GHA [13] 2024
Flag of Niue.svg  Niue NR01561146222082003Tino Rangatiratanga Maori sovereignty movement flag.svg NZM [9] 2020
 Pacific IslandsNR014520376164132008Flag of New Zealand.svg NZL [27] 2008
Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea Orchids532712408182404172017Flag of England.svg ENG [28] [29] 2024
Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines Sampaguitas150033201806272022Flag of Malta.svg MLT [24] [30] 2023
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia NR014520350220132008Flag of England.svg ENG [31] 2008
Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa Fetu Samoa2413111570832638062003Flag of the United Kingdom.svg GBR [9] 2023
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia 115501010956378222019Flag of Italy.svg ITA [32] [33] 2024
Flag of Tokelau.svg Tokelau NR01562049616282003Flag of the Cook Islands.svg COK [9] 2003
Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga 14021113111115643682003Flag of Samoa.svg SAM [9] 2023
Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 17410520382104212019Flag of France.svg FRA [34] [35] 2022
Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda 2221031022984332023Flag of Kenya.svg KEN [22] [23] 2024
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Hawks1602131029280262022Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg CAN [36] 2023
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 74509405214212242021Flag of England.svg ENG [37] [38] 2024

Notes:

Women's Rugby League World Cup

The Women's Rugby League World Cup was first held in Great Britain during 2000 to coincide with the men's Rugby League World Cup. Australia, Great Britain and eventual winners New Zealand took part. [41] New Zealand also won the second and third World Cups: a nine team tournament held at North Harbour Stadium, in the Auckland suburb of Albany in 2003; and an eight team tournament held at the Sunshine Coast Stadium and, for the final, Suncorp Stadium in 2008. [42] [43]

In the 2013 World Cup, the Australian Jillaroos won the cup, breaking New Zealand's 13 year winning streak. [44] Australia again beat New Zealand in the 2017 World Cup Final. [45]

The World Cup is played every 4 years. Delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the most recent World Cup included eight teams and was held in November 2022 in England. It was played alongside Men's and Wheelchair tournaments. [46] Australia won the tournament for the third time, all three in succession. [47]

Domestic competitions

Australia

The NRL Women's Premiership is the top tier national competition. In the second tier are two state competitions in New South Wales and Queensland. There are tackle competitions at a local level in several areas of Sydney and Brisbane, and in regional areas of New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory.
There are also competitions in the capital cites of the Northern Territory, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia and these states send teams to the National Championships. [48]

The New South Wales Rugby League has also promoted and supported non-tackle League tag competitions in Sydney and regional areas since the early 2010s. [49] [50] [51]

State of Origin is a state representative series played by Queensland and New South Wales. This annual competition began in 1999 as an Interstate Challenge with selections based on the players' state of residence. In 2018, this changed to Origin. In 2023, the National Rugby League extended what had usually been a single annual match to a two-match series. [52]

Great Britain

The top tier of rugby league in Great Britain is the RFL Women's Super League which operates a promotion and relegation system with the RFL Women's Championship below it. The Women's Challenge Cup is Great Britain's primary cup competition.

See also

Related Research Articles

The New Zealand women's national rugby league team, also known as the Kiwi Ferns or New Zealand Kiwi Ferns, represents New Zealand in women's rugby league. They are administered by the New Zealand Rugby League.

The Australia women's national rugby league team, also known as the Australian Jillaroos, or Harvey Norman Jillaroos for sponsorship reasons, represents Australia in women's rugby league. They played their first formal international in 1995 under the administration of the Australian Women's Rugby League. The AWRL affiliated with the Australian Rugby League in the late 1990s, with AWRL reports included in ARL annual reports. Since the advent of the Australian Rugby League Commission in February 2012, the team has been administered by that body and the National Rugby League.

The Australian Women's Rugby League is the governing body of female rugby league in Australia and other parts of Oceania and was established in 1993. It currently falls under the Australian Rugby League Commission which oversees its running and management but it took the association five years to be recognized by the Australian Rugby League.

The Great Britain women's national rugby league team, also known as the Great Britain Lionesses, represents Great Britain in Women's rugby league. They are administered by the Rugby Football League (RFL). The Great Britain Lionesses have placed third both the 2000 and 2003 Women's Rugby League World Cup.

The England women's national Rugby League team represents England in Women's Rugby League. They are administered by the Rugby Football League.

The 2013 Women's Rugby League World Cup was the fourth staging of the Women's Rugby League World Cup. The tournament was held in Great Britain from 5 July, culminating in the final between Australia and New Zealand on 14 July. It was held at Headingley, Leeds. Four teams took part and these teams were: Australia, England, France and New Zealand.

The Samoa women's national rugby league team, also known as the Fetū Sāmoa, represents Samoa in Women's rugby league. They are administered by the Rugby League Samoa.

The Tonga women's national rugby league team, is under the former governing body TNRL. The first Tonga women's team was in 2003 and known as the Mate Ma'a Tonga women's team administered by the Tonga National Rugby League (TNRL) body. The newly formed Tonga women's national rugby league incorporated is under the Tongan Government with the national men's team. TNRL are no longer the national administrating body for Tonga Rugby League.

Women's rugby league is a popular women's sport in Australia. The sport has a high level of participation in the country both recreational and professional. Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) is the national governing body of the sport in Australia, organising the Australian Women's Rugby League, the Australian women's national team, and the nine state governing bodies of the game, among other duties. Women's participation of modern rugby league has been recorded since the early 1920s. It has since become one of Australia's most popular women's team sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Papua New Guinea women's national rugby league team</span>

The Papua New Guinea women's national rugby league team, also known as the PNG Orchids represents Papua New Guinea in Women's rugby league. They are administered by the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League.

The Cook Islands women's national rugby league team, also known as the Cook Islands Moana represents Cook Islands in Women's rugby league. The Cook Islands have competed in three Women's Rugby League World Cup tournaments.

This article lists the official squads for the 2013 Women's Rugby League World Cup.

Lilieta Maumau is a New Zealand international rugby league player. She made her debut in the 2014 Test Match against the Australia. Maumau participated in the 2016 NRL Auckland Nines She represented the Kiwi Ferns at the 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup.

The 2021 Women's Rugby League World Cup was the sixth staging of the Women's Rugby League World Cup, and was one of three major tournaments part of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. The tournament was held in England from 1 November to 19 November 2022. Originally planned for 2021, it was delayed a year along with the men's and wheelchair tournaments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament featured eight teams, an increase of two from the previous tournament.

Georgia Hale is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who plays for the Gold Coast Titans in the NRLW.

The Fiji women's national rugby league team represent Fiji in international rugby league football competitions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International rugby league in 2022</span> International rugby league tournament

A list of men and women international rugby league matches played throughout 2022 and does not include wheelchair rugby league international matches. A † denotes a recognised, but unofficial match that did not contribute to the IRL World Rankings.

This article lists the official squads for the 2021 Women's Rugby League World Cup which, postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic is being held in November 2022.

This article lists the squads for the 2023 Rugby League Pacific Championships which were played from 14 October to 5 November 2023.

This article lists the official squads for the 2024 Rugby League Pacific Championships which are to be played from 18 October to 10 November 2024.

References

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  2. ↑ "History". www.communityrugby.co.nz. Retrieved 2019-11-03.
  3. ↑ "IRL World Rankings: June 30, 2024". International Rugby League. 26 Jul 2024. Retrieved 31 Jul 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Brazil win inaugural South American Cups". Asia Pacific Rugby League. 26 Nov 2018. Retrieved 18 Apr 2021.
  5. 1 2 Scholes, Gary (9 Jul 1995). "NZ men's defeat motivates women". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. p. 12. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  6. 1 2 "Kiwi Ferns - Past Results". NZRL. 30 Sep 2020. Retrieved 7 Oct 2020.
  7. ↑ France, Marvin (16 Nov 2017). "Kiwi Ferns blow out the cobwebs with big win over Canada in World Cup opener". stuff. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  8. ↑ "Kiwi Ferns Vs Canada - Women's RLWC 2017 Highlights". YouTube. Rugby League World Cup. 16 Nov 2017. Retrieved 30 Sep 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Francis, Payne (2003). New Zealand Rugby League Almanack 2003. New Zealand Rugby Football League Inc.
  10. 1 2 3 "England squad for womens [sic] Rugby League International". Sport Focus. 1 Jul 2007. Retrieved 27 Oct 2021.
  11. ↑ "Sport". Courier Mail. 21 Sep 1998. p. 32.
  12. ↑ Curtin, Jennie (21 Sep 1998). "48 Hours". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 28.
  13. 1 2 "Nigeria 40 v 4 Ghana - Match report". European Rugby League. 3 Nov 2023. Retrieved 4 Nov 2023.
  14. ↑ Hardy, Karen (22 Jul 1996). "Brits pay ultimate penalty". Canberra Times. p. 25.
  15. ↑ "1996 Aust vs GB Womens RL Test Match". YouTube. Jenny Luker. 31 Oct 2019. Retrieved 15 Jun 2021.
  16. ↑ "Turkey and Greece to meet in historic double-header". Rugby League Planet. 6 Jun 2019. Retrieved 18 Apr 2021.
  17. ↑ "Türk Kadin Ragbi Takimi 44 4'Lük Skorla Galip Geldi". YouTube. Edirne Televizyonu. 15 Sep 2019. Retrieved 29 Mar 2022.
  18. ↑ "Wales 24 v 26 Ireland - Match Report". European Rugby League. 17 Oct 2021. Retrieved 24 Oct 2021.
  19. 1 2 "Lebanon 0 v 22 Italy - Match Report". European Rugby League. 25 Feb 2017. Retrieved 15 Apr 2021.
  20. ↑ "Jamaica 8 v 78 United States - Match report". European Rugby League. 23 Sep 2023. Retrieved 28 Sep 2023.
  21. ↑ Lowe, Brian (25 Sep 2023). "USA Women Trounce Jamaicans in Rugby League International". Rugby League Planet. Retrieved 28 Sep 2023.
  22. 1 2 "Kenya and Uganda women name squads for historic women's rugby league international". European Rugby League. 15 Dec 2023. Retrieved 4 Apr 2024.
  23. 1 2 "Kenya 54 v 0 Uganda - Match report". European Rugby League. 16 Dec 2023. Retrieved 4 Apr 2024.
  24. 1 2 "Philippines Sampaguitas Go Down To Malta Dames In Inaugural Women's International". Asia Pacific Rugby League. 25 Oct 2022. Retrieved 25 Oct 2022.
  25. ↑ "Greece 0 v 14 Netherlands - Match report". European Rugby League. 9 Dec 2023. Retrieved 4 Apr 2024.
  26. ↑ "The Scoreboard". Rugby League Week (9/10/2002). Sydney: Bauer Media Group.
  27. ↑ "Kiwi Ferns v Pacific nations". YouTube. NZ Rugby League. 3 August 2017 [2008]. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
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  29. ↑ "England vs Papua New Guinea - Full Highlights - Womens RLWC 2017". YouTube. Channel 7 Sport. 16 Nov 2017. Retrieved 1 Apr 2021.
  30. ↑ "Philippines Sampaguitas Name Squad For Malta Clash". Asia Pacific Rugby League. 21 Oct 2022. Retrieved 25 Oct 2022.
  31. ↑ "England women shine in World Cup". BBC. 6 November 2008. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  32. ↑ "Italy 26 v 0 Serbia - Match Report". European Rugby League. 22 Jun 2019. Retrieved 15 Apr 2021.
  33. ↑ James, Honor (26 Jun 2019). "Italy's women win 1st Test as Serbia make their bow". Total Rugby League. Retrieved 17 Apr 2021.
  34. ↑ "La France s'impose largement face à la Turquie". Trieze Mondial. 5 Oct 2019. Retrieved 8 Apr 2021.
  35. ↑ "International Test Match Turkey vs France". YouTube. Turkish Rugby League. 6 Oct 2019. Retrieved 23 Oct 2021.
  36. ↑ "Canada Ravens vs USA Redtails - April 16th 2022". Canada Ravens. 16 Apr 2022. Retrieved 17 Apr 2022.
  37. ↑ "England 60 v 0 Wales". European Rugby League. 25 Jun 2021. Retrieved 31 Oct 2021.
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  39. ↑ "Women out to rattle bones, not buckets". Times (London). 14 Aug 1998.
  40. 1 2 rugbee.com Women's Rugby League World Series 2000 Official Programme. Harold Lacey Publications. 2000.
  41. ↑ Hadfield, Dave (25 Nov 2000). "Rugby League: Hina too strong for battling Britain". The Independent (London). p. 23.
  42. ↑ Coffey, John (13 Oct 2003). "Kiwi Ferns rule on league cup stage". The Press (Christchurch). p. 29.
  43. ↑ "Ferns girls too strong - league world cup". Daily Telegraph. 17 Nov 2008. p. 67.
  44. ↑ "Jillaroos win Women's World Cup". NRL.com. 2013-06-15. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  45. ↑ "Women's Rugby League World Cup: Australia's Jillaroos beat New Zealand 23-16 in final to claim world title". ABC. 2 Dec 2017. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  46. ↑ "Rugby League World Cup - England 2021 - Women's Tournament". RLWC2021. 1 Feb 2022. Retrieved 30 Mar 2022.
  47. ↑ Lucantonio, AJ (20 Nov 2022). "Bend it like Brigginshaw as Jillaroos remain queens of the international game". League Unlimited. Retrieved 21 Nov 2022.
  48. ↑ "Squads released for 2023 Harvey Norman National Championships". NRL. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 4 Oct 2023.
  49. ↑ Lang, Josh (13 Sep 2010). "Go Green Machine - Leeton's league tag reign continues". Irrigator.
  50. ↑ Robertson, Grant (17 Sep 2011). "Stage set for another league tag classic". Northern Daily Leader. p. 135.
  51. ↑ "2015 League Tag Castlereagh Grand Final Coonamble v Trangie". YouTube. WesternRams. 6 Sep 2015. Retrieved 28 Aug 2020.
  52. ↑ "Sydney and Townsville to host women's Origin series". NRL. 26 Apr 2023. Retrieved 26 Apr 2023.
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