Women’s Rugby League’s new Northern Championship kicks off this weekend (2/3 March) – a nine-team strong competition with a shot at a place in the top-flight Betfred Women’s Super League for the winner.
More players than ever before will play Women’s Rugby League this season, with more than 60 clubs competing nationwide. Eight of the nine Northern Championship teams are in action this weekend: Bradford Bulls; Castleford Tigers; Leigh Leopards; Salford Red Devils; Hull KR; Oulton Raidettes; Sheffield Eagles and Stanningley. Dewsbury Moor’s competition debut comes one week later.
The Northern Championship consists of 18 rounds of fixtures, before the play-offs and a Grand Final on Sunday 22 September. The winners of that game will then face off against the winners of the Southern Championship on Sunday 29 September for the right to take on the Women’s Super League’s bottom team in the Betfred Women’s Super League for a place in the topflight.
14 teams are taking part in the Northern Women’s League divisions One and Two this season, with both competitions kicking off on Sunday 17 March. Eight teams feature in League One and six in League Two, including the likes of Fryston Warriors, Swinton Lionesses, Elland and Rochdale Hornets. Further competition information is available at rugby-league.com.
The play-offs for both competitions are scheduled to take place on Sunday 29 September before a Grand Final double header on Sunday 13 October. The Grand Final winners of both Leagues One and Two will gain promotion, with the bottom three clubs at the end of the season at risk of relegation. Fixtures for the Northern Women’s Championship, League One and Two can all be found here.
The Midlands and South Women’s Championship and League One competitions will both kick off later this year, with more information to be announced in due course.
