Australian Rugby League Commission announces expansion for NRLW

The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has approved the expansion of the NRL Women’s Premiership, a two-game Women’s State of Origin series and full time contract opportunities with a salary cap system which will increase average player salaries.

Announced today, the expansion will see the NRLW competition expand from six teams to eight in 2023 and then again to 10 teams in 2024.

With the Broncos, Dragons, Roosters, Titans, Knights and Eels already having teams in the competition, the remaining clubs will have the ability to submit applications to join the 2023 or 2024 seasons with the ARLC to make a call on the successful clubs in July.

From the 2022 season - which will be played later this year - teams will move to a salary cap system set at $350,000, while clubs will also be given the opportunity to employ two marquee players on full-time contracts with additional cap dispensation. This new salary cap system will see player salaries increase by 28%.

This year will also see State of Origin payments increase from $4,000 to $6,000, while All Stars payments will increase from $1,600 to $3,000, with the series to be expanded from one to two stand-alone games as of next year.

The Commission has also approved substantial increases in investment of junior female participation and pathways programs, including national age group championships as well as coaching and referee academies.

Advising that the ARLC, is committed to a sustainable growth strategy of the women’s game from grassroots participation to the elite level, NRL Chief Executive, Andrew Abdo stated “today is an exciting day for the women’s game.

“The expansion of the NRLW competition and the introduction of the salary cap will ensure players earn substantially more income from our game.

“There’s still a long way to go but this is another positive step in our growth journey for the NRLW

"We’re experiencing significant growth in television audiences and that’s down to the players and the Commission will continue to invest and support that success.

“Importantly the announcements today are about ensuring a sustainable NRLW competition. We’ve always been very clear that we would ensure our playing talent is deep enough and our clubs are prepared before expanding. The lead-in time ahead of the next expansion phase will ensure our clubs have the right infrastructure in place and there is even more depth to our playing talent.”

Commenting on the investment in female pathways in the sport, Abdo added “today is not just about the elite game, it’s also about building stronger participation and pathways.

“The Commission is focussed on building the women’s game from the bottom up. Not just encouraging more participation as players but also more female coaches and female referees. Right across the game we will continue to work to create pathways for women regardless of whether they want to play, coach, referee or be an administrator.”

While the current round of expansion will likely only include current NRL clubs, reports have suggested that there is the potential of sides in the Pacific Islands or Papua New Guinea, as well as interest from Perth.

Image: NRLW premiership captains. Credit: NRL.