NRL NT set to provide under-13’s girls competition in 2021 to strengthen pathways

THE NRL NT is set to broaden its competition in the 2021 season with the inclusion of an under-13s girls’ division, while some exciting fixtures are on the horizon for the senior sides.

NRL NT is trying to get an under-13 female competition off the ground in 2021 to deliver a clear pathway for girls interested in the sport. Renee Scherell, Nelly Robertson, Annabell Kay, Eva Kay, Marley Morgan, Bec Ashford, Alyra Baker, Mymona Bryers and Kathleen Malupo are looking forward to kick-off. Photo: Che Chorley

THE NRL NT is set to broaden its competition in the 2021 season with the inclusion of an under-13s girls’ division, while some exciting fixtures are on the horizon for the senior sides.

The inclusion of the under-13 competition will strengthen the pathway for girls into their club’s senior women sides, with a current gap between the mixed 12s and under-15 girls divisions.

The development of the new competition will see junior girls compete and develop in a more comfortable environment rather than making the leap right to the under-15s.

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NRL NT Operations Manager Henry Street said the development of the new division would provide a key pathway for Territory league.

“The NRL NT is all for the extra competition. A few years ago we brought in the 15s and 17s girls comps and have seen growth from there,” Street told the NT News.

“This provides a clear pathway for girls in our sport from under-sixes right through to senior women and we hope we gain some lifelong players and fans of the sport.

“It’s important because it allows the clubs to provide the sport to members of the whole family to play.

“We’ve had more interest from the clubs than we originally expected which is great to see with Katherine also looking to get involved.

“It comes down to team nominations in the end but we’re doing everything we can to make it happen which could mean starting it off as a nine-a-side competition.”

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In the senior competition, key fixtures will be fought out from Round 1, with a grand final rematch between Brothers and Litchfield expecting to excite crowds.

An Indigenous Round and a Women in League round will also be key fixtures of the season’s proceedings, with the continuing Chico Motlop Shield and Mitchell Russell Shield matches also expected to be spectacles.