NRLW 2023 season launch set to be cancelled: RLPA v NRL CBA war claims latest victim

The historic 10-team NRLW competition has hit its first hurdle, with the launch highly unlikely to go ahead.

The historic 10-team NRLW competition launch ]set to be cancelled. Picture: Richard Dobson

An historic NRLW season launch celebrating a brand new 10 team competition is now highly unlikely to go ahead in Sydney next week.

It’s understood a venue had been booked in Barangaroo for the event on Tuesday, which was due to be attended by NRLW captains, senior players and dozens of junior rugby league players and fans.

It was set to be a special event to launch a newly expanded 10-team competition, which grew from six teams in 2022 and is less than two weeks away from kick-off.

Those plans are now in extreme doubt with no iron-clad guarantee players would attend, or not cancel at the last minute, given the latest stand off between the union and the NRL.

Running the event as planned would come at a big financial risk to the NRL.

It follows the abandonment of the NRL season launch earlier this year, and the withdrawal of players on the morning of the launch of Multicultural Round.

The historic 10-team NRLW competition launch ]set to be cancelled. Picture: Richard Dobson

There was also no event for the announcement of the NRLW draw when it was released back in April.

And now, doubt over the NRLW season launch is the latest twist in a bitter fight between players and the governing body.

It reached new lows last week, with the union responding by issuing a blanket media ban for all players on any day games are being played.

The RLPA deny any knowledge of the scheduled NRLW event next week, although all clubs were briefed by the NRL at the end of June with players requested to attend.

“As of this afternoon we haven’t received any communication from the NRL regarding the NRLW launch,” said RLPA boss Clint Newton.

“If the launch falls on a Tuesday then based on the boundaries the players have set, there should be no issue with it going ahead.”

However, it appears doomed.

It adds to a souring relationship between both parties, but also comes at the worst possible time for NRLW players.

RLPA boss Clint Newton. Picture: AAP/James Gourley

They have also been caught up in the media ban imposed by the Rugby League Players’ Association as they fight to settle protracted collective bargaining agreement negotiations.

Those negotiations include an historic and inaugural women’s collective bargaining agreement, although contracting terms have already been signed off for the game’s female players.

“NRLW players aren’t just caught up in this action. They are a part of it, this affects them, their terms and conditions and securing the first ever women’s CBA alongside our men. The first ever Women’s CBA was the number one goal in this whole process and the fact they don’t have one with their season starting next week is a sad indictment on the game,” Newton said.

“We need to progress our players beyond a limited term sheet which only allowed them to sign interim contracts.”

The women’s season is set to start on July 23, and while excitement should be building towards the biggest NRLW season to date, any hype has been overshadowed by silent players and a CBA fight that rolls on.

Originally published as NRLW 2023 season launch set to be cancelled: RLPA v NRL CBA war claims latest victim