North Queensland Cowboys bid for Gold Stars NRLW expansion
Currently a breeding ground for elite rugby league talent, a bid to expand the NRLW into North Queensland will help keep the state’s homegrown talent in the region.
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North Queensland produces some of rugby league’s great talents on the field, and the Cowboys are closing in on a deal that will help keep their stars close to home.
With the NRLW season set to begin, and the NRL fixtures not far off, the team out of Townsville has made its future intentions clear within the rugby league landscape.
North Queensland Gold Stars chief executive Jeff Reibel confirmed the team’s expansions hopes, and said he wanted to be the first person contacted when the NRL made its decision.
“When they are ready to expand, we would like to be a part of that expansion,” he said.
“The easiest thing for us to do would be to import some players and start there, but what we wanted to do was, from a North Queensland way, provide those pathways from grassroots and work our way through.
“We’re at the pointy end of the process speaking with the NRL, the ball is in their court now as to when they want to expand that competition.”
The Gold Stars have been a feeder club for the entire NRLW, with eight of its former players plying their trade across the competition, including Mackay-raised Jasmine Peters, Katie Green, Emma Manzelmann and Brittany Breayley-Nati.
Reibel said he was excited for the future of women’s rugby league, with the spotlight shining on the sport now more than ever.
“When you look back at why we were formed back in 1995, it was to keep North Queensland talent within North Queensland and give them a chance to succeed on a national stage,” he said.
“How better to pay homage to that original vision through firstly the QRLW Gold Stars, and then an NRLW Cowboys team.
“This is going to shine the light on women’s sport and in particular women’s rugby league.”
The announcement comes as the Gold Stars unveiled Westfund as the side’s major jersey sponsor for the 2022 QRLW season.
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