NRLW stars angry over lack of CBA progress, set to boycott 2023 NRL draw launch

The NRL is facing a fresh fight with another major stakeholder over the stalled CBA, with several NRLW stars planning to boycott the men’s draw launch.

Millie Boyle will reportedly not attend the launch of the 2023 NRL draw. Picture: Getty Images.

NRLW players have slammed their governing body over a failure to deliver a historic Collective Bargaining Agreement, declaring: “This has taken a toll – we deserve respect.”

In a strongly worded release issued through the RLPA on Wednesday night, NRLW players expressed anger that their CBA for 2023 remains unresolved.

The women are indignant that the NRL has not:

• Announced an NRLW draw;

• Finalised the length of the 2023 season;

• Nailed down the pre-season, training and when the competition starts;

• Released an NRLW salary cap;

• Indicated how much women can be paid for their season.

Millie Boyle will reportedly not attend the launch of the 2023 NRL draw. Picture: Getty Images.

Despite it expiring on October 31, the NRL’s men CBA has defaulted back to the previous agreement. The women have never played under a CBA.

The NRL continues discussions with the RLPA and clubs about the new CBA, which covers working conditions and remuneration for the men’s and women’s game.

“As players, we are frustrated with the current state of our CBA negotiations,” the statement read. “We have already played five seasons of NRLW. We have invested in the start-up and growth of the competition.

“It has come at a cost to our personal lives, families, employment and studies but we have committed to making these sacrifices because we are pursuing our dreams and we want to build strong foundations for the future of the game.

In response to media reports the announcement of the 2023 NRLW draw has been delayed, the NRLW player leaders of the RLPA would like to make the following statement.#RLPA#NRLWpic.twitter.com/vmVWNpKtS8

— RLPA (@RLPlayers) November 9, 2022

“However, the lack of security and certainty does take a toll and we believe it is time that we are afforded the respect we deserve through the first ever women’s CBA.

“An announcement of the NRLW 2023 draw would have set the structure and largely dictate the hours of work for players, which should not happen without a CBA that will capture all the critical terms of employment that we require as players to secure our futures.

“We deserve respect for our past, current and future contributions to the game and that begins with the finalisation of our CBA.”

NRLW star Millie Boyle took to Instagram to address the current state of the NRLW.

The Daily Telegraph has been told several leading women’s players will boycott support for the NRL’s men’s premiership draw launch in Sydney on Thursday morning.

The RLPA has claimed star player Millie Boyle declined an invite to co-host and promote the men’s draw presentation at Rugby League Central in protest at the NRL’s failure to unveil a women’s draw at the same event.

The NRL vehemently denied this, claiming Boyle was contacted and agreed to co-host the draw presentation but wasn’t needed after the status of the event changed.

NRL officials believe Boyle was feeling some “heat” from the RLPA, who also claimed women players will reject promoting the draw through social media platforms. The women want it known this was a player-led snub endorsed by the RLPA.

The Daily Telegraph has been told the women are seeking a 14-round competition – which was included in their CBA proposal - with additional finals and grand final in the new-look ten-team competition.

While no decision has been reached, all indications suggest the NRL will opt for a nine-round premiership.

The NRLW will welcome the Raiders, Tigers, Sharks and Cowboys in 2023, but they still have no idea about the draw, length of season, the start date or the salary cap.

The NRL is well aware of the heavy cost to govern and run an NRLW competition. The women believe more games will ensure a higher standard. Pre-season games with off-season training would incur further costs.

Women players had hoped the NRLW draw could also have been released on Thursday alongside the NRL men’s competition schedule.

NRLW players also want a one-match, or three-game, State of Origin series, where a winner can be determined, not the current format where two matches, similar to the Bledisloe Cup, are played.

Those close to the women insist they aren’t attempting to be demanding, rather “standing up for themselves.”

The RLPA and NRL have been locked in talks about the women’s game and its future, encompassed in the CBA. The NRLW contested two seasons this year due to a postponed competition through Covid.