12-team competition: NRLW calendar and expansion shake up to be examined by ARLC
Expansion is the biggest topic in the NRLW at the moment and the ARLC will examine the next big move for the women’s game in the off-season.
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An overhaul of the women’s calendar as well as possible expansion of the NRLW will be on the agenda in a post-season examination by the Australian Rugby League Commission.
Ahead of the semi-finals of the biggest ever NRLW season, the topic of expanding the competition from 10 teams to possibly 12 next year is beginning to take off to mixed reaction.
This season was the biggest season to date with the number of teams jumping from six to 10.
The Bulldogs have already submitted their bid for a women’s licence after an expression of interest to enter the competition from next season was sent out by the NRL recently.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo stopped short of confirming the addition of any new teams to the NRLW from 2024 at Tuesday’s finals launch amid concerns from the game’s coaches and players about maintaining the quality of competition.
However, he did flag that the women’s schedule itself, including State of Origin, state competitions and an international series would be discussed post-season.
“At this particular point in time no decisions have been made on either season length or the number of teams in the competition, we’ll take a full review of this season in the off season and the commission will think about that strategy,” Abdo said.
Discussions are already underway with NSW and Queensland bodies about the timing of the state women’s competitions to run underneath the NRLW as an acting reserve grade.
It would help alleviate some of the strain on NRLW squads as they wrangle with injuries and form through the season.
“We’re talking to both state leagues about that,” he added.
“Having a second tier competition that allows for the development of talent is critical for growth. What we’ll see over the next couple of years is changes to timing.
“We’re thinking carefully about those state competitions and what other competitions occur at the start of the year, the State of Origin series and an international series as well.
“We almost have to think about the calendar, not just the premiership, very carefully, so we get that mix right.”
The timing of the women’s competitions has been a talking point across the season but is getting closer to a resolve ahead of Sunday’s semi-finals between Newcastle and Brisbane, and Sydney Roosters and Gold Coast.
On Tuesday Knights’ premiership-winning captain Hannah Southwell joined the chorus of players and coaching speaking up about possible expansion in 2023.
“I’d love to see it stay as is, I would have loved to see it stay as is last year, but we’re here,” she said.
“ I’d love to see us build on what we’ve got here with 10 teams, deepening our squads and then not having blow out scorelines or mass injuries or anything like that.
“Hopefully 2025 or 2026 we’ll be ready to expand again.”
Originally published as 12-team competition: NRLW calendar and expansion shake up to be examined by ARLC
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