More than a decade on, Women in League round more important than ever
More than a decade after Harvey Norman chief executive Katie Page founded Women in League round, it is more important than ever.
Katie Page never had any doubt about the future of Women in League round. Even as the COVID crisis threatened to disrupt sports across the globe, Page had faith that the game’s powerbrokers had a deep understanding of the importance of this week to the game’s female players, officials and supporters.
“They would never have done that,” Page told The Australian.
“This is their DNA. This is no different to the indigenous round. Can you imagine not having the indigenous round now?
“The mover and shakers in the game from day one understand the importance of this.
“You are always going to have people out there who don’t know their stuff. But the important people in the game, they embraced this from day one. Look at the statistics … no one in their right mind would not have supported this. Why would you give away 45 per cent of your fanbase who are so important in so many different ways to your game?”
Page, the chief executive of Harvey Norman, was the brains behind Women in League round 14 years ago. A former NRL board member, she pushed the game’s decision-makers to acknowledge the contribution made by females to the sport.
More than a decade later, it is still going strong. Some would say stronger than ever.
“Katie has done and continues to do more for the game of rugby league than many will ever know,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said. “If we’re talking about the strength and stature of women involved in rugby league, Katie is the ultimate role model and trailblazer for thousands of girls and women that have gone on to live out their dreams.
“Players will be paying tribute during this round to the special women in their lives that have supported them, inspired them and believed in them throughout their time in the game.
“This round is also an opportunity to acknowledge the growing strength and numbers of females in our game — whether that be in leadership positions at clubs, players, coaches and referees involved in matches, or volunteers keeping junior leagues going across the country.
There has been a push for Page to return to the game in an official capacity, potentially as an ARL Commission member.
“If you go up for something like the commission, you have to have enormous amounts of time,” Page said. “You don’t go to something like that just for the sake of going on. My whole being is for Harvey Norman.
“I would hope whoever takes positions on something like the commission understand the contribution they are making is really important.” Page isn’t finished as far as Women in League round is concerned.
“You have to keep working on it,” she said. “I am there as an advocate for this and Harvey Norman is an advocate for this … making sure people don’t take their foot off the pedal.”
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