Saturday is semi-finals day in the inaugural Betfred Women’s Super League South, when Twitch TV will stream an exciting double header live from the British Army’s Aldershot HQ.
The Army, runners-up in the Eastern Conference, will feature in the first semi-final against Western Conference winners Golden Ferns, which kicks off at 1pm.
In the other semi-final, kicking off at 3pm, Eastern Conference winners London Broncos play Western Conference runners-up Cardiff.
Golden Ferns are the women's section of the All Golds Rugby League Club, based at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College. Western Conference runners-up Cardiff are overseen by Wales Rugby League and are based at the University of South Wales. Like London Broncos, both clubs are new to women’s Rugby League, while the Army are now well established in the game.
The four sides have emerged from a six-team competition, also involving Bedford Tigers and Cornish Rebels, and they’ll be aiming to reach the final on Sunday 29 August at the Trailfinders Sports Club in Ealing, west London.
Marc Lovering, the RFL’s Director of Participation and Development, says: "Congratulations to all four sides for making it this far - and well done to all six clubs who have made the inaugural Betfred Women's Super League South a resounding success.
"This new premier competition for women's Rugby League in the south of England and Wales is part of our medium to long term strategy as we look to build on the growth within the women's and girls' game since the launch of the Women's Super League in 2017.
"The introduction of the Women’s Super League in 2017 has been instrumental in providing an aspirational playing opportunity, raising the profile of the women’s game and providing girls with development opportunities. Now, the Women’s Super League South is having a similar impact and our ultimate aim is to have a full national competition structure in place."
With a number other expressions of interest already received, the intention is that the Betfred Women’s Super League South will sit at the top of a pyramid for the Women’s and Girls’ game in the south of England and Wales, as the Betfred Women’s Super League does in the North.
Any teams interested in taking part in Women’s Rugby league in the South of England should contact Southern Regional Manager stephen.guan@rfl.uk.com for help and guidance.
