NRLW clubs knew the financial burden, writes Fiona Bollen

That the four NRL clubs involved in the inaugural women’s competition are complaining about financial hits after just one year in existence is short-sighted, ignorant and just plain wrong, writes Fiona Bollen.

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In order to address the recent claims of the four NRLW clubs being unhappy with the financial burden they bear in the existing competition, let’s go back a few years and to the other side of the world.

In April 2011, England’s Football Association launched its inaugural women’s league — the Women’s Super League.

It was an eight-team competition that started a year later than its original 2010 proposed date because the world was still suffering economically following the 2008 crash.

The NRLW clubs knew what they were in for, according to Fiona Bollen. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

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Not to worry, it went along for a few years in its original format before it was expanded in 2014 to have two divisions, allowing for relegation and promotion.

Up until 2017 the Women’s Super League was played during summer, from March to October, away from the men’s competition, but since then it has shifted to the winter months and is played September to May.

It’s been a process of growing, changing and evolving.

After eight years, it can be said that the Women’s Super League has arrived, because this month it signed a sponsorship with Barclay's worth more than $18.5 million.

What's this got to do with NRLW?

Well, it shows the graft and commitment needed to make these things work. It also shows that with that graft and commitment, elite women's leagues can succeed.

The NRLW competition will take time to thrive., (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

That the four NRL clubs involved in the inaugural women’s competition are complaining about financial hits after just one year in existence is short-sighted, ignorant and just plain wrong.

For one, the clubs knew the costs that would be incurred when they applied for licences and won them.

Some other clubs withdrew from the bidding process based on that alone, some never entered because of it.

A fee to be part of the competition was always a known factor as was having to foot the costs of running the team. Clubs do this with the men’s teams.

The current broadcast deal was brokered and signed off before the women’s competition was even announced, so realistically the costs of women’s teams could only reasonably be included as part of club grants after the next deal, from 2023.

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Brisbane, St George Illawarra, Sydney Roosters and the Warriors all went in eyes wide open.

At the Roosters’ women’s launch last year the team management stood on stage and told a story of how when the women’s competition was announced, chairman Nick Politis instructed them to make sure they got a licence and then to make sure they won the comp.

They achieved one. And went close to the other.

These teams wanted to be involved. To think they were talking of pulling out, as was reported, seems absurd.

Perhaps it is a play to extract more money from the NRL. It’s unlikely to work.

Roosters men’s coach Trent Robinson said on Thursday the women are the future of the game. An elite competition is the way to grow that side of the game quickly and it requires investment and commitment at the start.