There’ll be a triumphant finale for the 2023 Girl’s Rugby League season this Saturday (7 October), when the stars of the future take to the field at Bradford’s Odsal Stadium on the eve of Sunday’s Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final.
2023 has been a breakthrough year for the girl’s game. England Women’s run to the semi-finals of last year’s Rugby League World Cup inspired record numbers of young players to get involved, with more than 130 teams from 57 clubs taking part this year.
Saturday’s bumper event will include finals in four different age groups, as the Rugby Football League continues to nurture and grow participation and competitions.
Reigning U16s champions, Oulton Raidettes, are undefeated in 2023 and hope to retain their title when they take on Dewsbury Moor (KO 2.40pm). The Dewsbury Moor club will also face off against Leigh Miners Rangers in the U14 category (KO 11.35am).
Drighlington and Rochdale Mayfield will kick the day-off at 10.15am, when they compete for the U13s title, while Bronte Barbarians and Halton Farnworth Rangers will contest the U15s category.
And in a further positive move for the girl’s game, each final will be officiated by-all female teams of match officials.
RFL Match Officials Appointments and Development Officer, Ryan Cox, says: “It’s a pleasure to be able to appoint these young up and coming officials to the first all-female match officials squad for Saturday’s event. This is a testament to the hard work of local societies and the recently formed Women and Girls Match Officials Programme.
“Last year, these same finals saw the first full on field team of female match officials and we are delighted that in 2023 we can provide female officials for all four games across the day.”
The action on Saturday will begin at 10.15am at Odsal Stadium, Bradford.
2023 Girl’s Rugby League Finals Day
- U13s Drighlington vs Rochdale Mayfield, 10.15am
- U14s Dewsbury Moor vs Leigh Miners Rangers, 11.35am
- U15s Bronte Barbarians vs Halton Farnworth Hornets, 1pm
- U16s Oulton Raidettes vs Dewsbury Moor, 2.40pm