This Round Celebrates How Far We've Come, But Recognises That We're Far From Done

Rugby league was once seen as a man’s game, with only a very small space allocated for women.

Women often worked as cheerleaders, on the reception desk at the leagues clubs, and - if they were lucky enough - in various parts of the stadiums during match days.

There was only a rare select few that broke the barriers and forced their way into higher positions.

Thankfully, we live in a very different world now.

Over the years we have come to see women working within all aspects of the clubs and administration, as well as women like myself reporting and commentating on the game.

And we have arrived at time where us ladies are now lacing up the boots and running out onto the field with either a ball tucked under our arms or a whistle in our hand.

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The NRL’s Harvey Norman Women in League round began in 2007, spearheaded by Harvey Norman CEO Katie Page.

It was originally viewed as a way to thank females around the game, whether that be the mums and partners of players for all the sacrifices they have made or even the ladies in the canteen at the local footy who give up their weekends for the kids.

Now in 2022, it means so much more.

It is a time to not only applaud those wonderful women, but also the pioneers and believers that strived for more.

It’s a time to recognise the mountains that have been climbed by both genders to reach where we are, celebrate all the wonderful involvement women now have in rugby league.

But despite the progress in recent years, it should also be viewed as a time to acknowledge that there is still work to be done.

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The launch for Women in League round was held with a breakfast at the Sofitel Wentworth in Sydney.

On the guest list was a mix of sport, business and media types that came together to honour the undeniably-hard work that has been done to get to where we are.

But it was also used as a forum to discuss ways of continuing this momentum and taking it even further.

CEO of the NRL Andrew Abdo explained to those in attendance that Women in League round started by "celebrating the role they play in sport".

“Now it’s about thinking where do we go next and what more we can do to put the spotlight on the challenges we have that lie ahead,” he said.

“There’s a real 'why not' attitude in rugby league.”

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Ruan Sims, an absolute legend, also spoke at the launch.

A dual international who was the first woman to sign a rugby league women’s playing contract, Sims is currently a league commentator for both Channel 9 and the ABC.

Oh, and she also happens to be a fire fighter too as well as a big believer in the ‘why not’ attitude.

“I love hearing that ‘why not’. It’s something that I had drummed into me as a young girl,” Sims said at the launch.

“If you have people challenging you and you have people challenging norms, that actually drives innovation and that drives the game to be fantastic. It drives the game to come up with incredible and new opportunities.

“What I am most proud of is that as a game, we have embraced the women’s side of things, we have embraced the women as athletes, we have embraced them as being part of the fabric of the game... and it is important to celebrate it.”

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Chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission Peter V’landys confirmed his desires to grow the women’s game.

“The ambition for the ARLC is to have rugby league as the number one female sport in Australia,” he said.

“Netball is at the moment, and we want to beat them.”

With the theme of the round being “Play Your Part”, V’landys was asked about his most proud moment in creating opportunities for women in league – both on and off the field.

“I’m proud that we followed Katie Page,” Vlandys responded.

“She is a pioneer for women. She was the first female board member... and she was the one who started the women’s round. But she did so much more than that, she put her money where her mouth was and sponsored the women’s State of Origin, the national competition, and she is just all the time looking at how she can grow women’s rugby league.

“We owe a massive debt to Katie Page, and I just hope that I can add to what she has done.”

Despite everything that Page has contributed to women in the game, she was very humble with her involvement.

“NRL back then was the trailblazer, it wasn’t me,” she admitted.

“When you look at what has happened with the game and how everyone has taken it on board, they’re the first with so many things. I was just the little fire. It really isn’t about an individual, it’s about everyone doing their thing.

“As you see these women coming through, I am so proud.”

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There is no doubt the NRL has come on leaps and bounds in regards to the role of women in the sport – but, as we all know, there is still a long way to go.

The continued growth and evolvement of rugby league will benefit everyone involved.

And having more women participate, volunteer and work at all levels not only strengthens our sport but encourages and gives hope to a whole new generation of girls.

Make sure you get out there this weekend and thank the ladies who help run the local footy.

Go and buy a membership to an NRLW team and encourage your mates to support women in league.

Play your part.