Women’s and Girls ready for record breaking season launch this weekend

Women’s and Girl’s Rugby League will smash previous participation records when the season launches this weekend (March 11/12), with more teams than ever taking part.

Last season was a breakthrough year for the Girl’s Community Game, while England Women’s run to the Semi-Finals of the Rugby League World Cup has helped inspire hundreds of new young players with over 130 teams from 57 clubs competing this year. 

Reigning U16s champions, Oulton Raidettes, went undefeated last season and they will be hoping their 2023 team can repeat this on Saturday when they play Yorkshire neighbours Shaw Cross Sharks. U14s title holders, Dewsbury Moor, Greetland will travel to Leeds for their opening fixture against Whinmoor Warriors. Finals day is set to take place on October 7 with venue details to be announced later in the season. 

There will be some mouth watering local derbies in the U16’s Premier Division where defending champions Oulton Raidettes will hope their class of 2023 can match the achievements of the last two years which has seen Oulton win this age group. The Girls end of season Finals day is set to take place on October 7 with venue details to be announced later in the season. 

The Women’s Game has also made significant steps forward this season. The Championship is now a ten-team competition, including newly promoted Sheffield Eagles and Swinton Lions, with former Women’s Super League club Wakefield Trinity completing this year’s contingent.

Champions Oulton Raidettes will begin their campaign against Dewsbury Moor, whilst newcomers Swinton Lions will welcome Stanningley and Sheffield Eagles travel to Widnes Vikings. Life in the Championship will start with a trip across the M62 for Wakefield Trinity as they face Hull KR. 

League One has welcomed three new teams this season – Wigan St Patricks, Newsome Panthers and Rochdale Mayfield – as well as promoted Nottingham Outlaws. The Championship and League One Finals will take place on October 15 (venue TBC.)

Marc Lovering, RFL Director of Participation and Development, says: “2022 was an incredible year for the Women and Girl’s game and I am thrilled to say that we will once again see record breaking participation numbers this season.”

“England Women’s World Cup campaign and the HeRLegacy series has helped attract hundreds of girls to taster sessions across the north which is why we are now seeing these incredible playing numbers.”

“The Our League Active rewards programme is also back for 2023, so we are encouraging community players and supporters to make sure they are registered. The programme gives members the opportunity to collect valuable points and be rewarded by saving money on their OLA membership or even on match tickets and merchandise purchases, so it’s really worthwhile for people to get involved.”

RefCam – the head-mounted cameras for match officials – will also be in use across the community game in 2023 after successful trials last year. The investment in RefCams is part of the RFL’s ‘Enjoy the Game’ campaign, which aims to promote a positive playing environment at all levels of the game. 

Marc Lovering explains: “200 RefCams have been distributed to local referees’ societies and they will be worn by officials across the Community Game, particularly in junior and youth leagues.” 

“The cameras will support referees in encouraging respectful behaviour and enforcing discipline, and recordings could be used by both officials and players during disciplinary proceedings.” 

A full list of Women’s and Girls fixtures can be found here.