NRLW TO EXPAND TO TEN TEAMS IN 2023 WITH CANBERRA. NORTH QUEENSLAND. CRONULLA AND WESTS...
0NRLW to expand to ten teams in 2023 with Canberra. North Queensland. Cronulla and Wests Tigers to join the league
The NRLW will expand to a 10 team tournament in 2023 after Cronulla. North Queensland. Canberra and Wests Tigers were awarded licences for the competition on Wednesday. As first reported by AAP last month. the NRL has opted to take a more aggressive approach with an expansion of the women's game. 'We have a blueprint for investing in the women's game at all levels. We have seen from with the quality of the 2021 NRLW Premiership and the tremendous growth in female participation that we have capacity for sustainable growth.' said ARLC chairman Peter V'landys. 'The commission have again demonstrated that the women's game is a strategic priority. The quality of the club submissions was excellent. 'The commission had always left the door open to expand to a 10 team competition based on the quality of the applicants. and we have seen that come through both in the success of the 2021 Premiership and the quality and applications made by clubs.' The league had initially planned to go to eight teams in 2023 and then 10 in 2024. but has decided to fast track the competition's growth. 'Today is another exciting milestone in the growth of Women's Premiership.' said NRL CEO Andrew Abdo. 'The Sharks and the Tigers have strong teams in the Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership. and the Raiders and the Cowboys already have strong participation bases. 'We will continue to work with all NRL Clubs on the plans for further expansion beyond 2023 and the right time for each club to potentially enter the NRLW Premiership.' The tournament. which started in 2018 with four clubs. added three further teams earlier this year as Newcastle. Parramatta and Gold Coast joined foundation clubs St George Illawarra. Brisbane and Sydney Roosters. This year's second NRLW season is expected to kick off in late August. AAP/ABC
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