International Women’s Day

Today, Friday 8 March, is International Women’s Day and earlier this week Rugby League was represented at a special Women's History Month reception at Speaker’s House in London. 

Joining the Speaker of the House of Commons and RFL President Sir Lindsay Hoyle were several pioneers of the women’s game: Angela Carter; Andy Harland; Michaela Hirst and Julia Lee. 

Hirst, Harland and Mills represented the three clubs that took part in Rugby League’s very first women’s league in the mid-1980s – Crosfield Ladies, Dudley Hill Thunderbirds and Guiseley Angels. The trio, and their clubs, defied convention by launching the competition in the face of widespread resistance from people and organisations – from clubs, governing bodies, politicians and others – who questioned women’s place in what was widely considered a male preserve. Yet they persevered and completed a full schedule of fixtures, and their efforts undoubtedly laid the groundwork for the expansion of the women’s game across Rugby League’s heartlands and beyond.

Bramley-born Michaela Hirst began her career with Guiseley Angels at the age of 15, and featured in Yorkshire versus Lancashire Roses matches both as a player and manager. She played a pivotal role in establishing Hunslet and Milford Marlins, and contributed significantly to the development of the Wakefield Wildcats, later serving as assistant coach in 2003.

Andy Harland played a crucial role in the inception of Dudley Hill Thunderbirds and the advancement of women and girl’s Rugby League in Bradford. Bernie Mills (nee Melbourne) and Angie Carter (nee Potter) were instrumental figures in founding and nurturing Crosfield Ladies in Warrington during the 1980s and 1990s. They represented Lancashire and participated in Great Britain’s inaugural, unofficial, tour to France in 1989.

Julia Lee distinguished herself as one of the first women to referee in the men’s game in both Britain and Australia, achieving professional and international recognition as a match official across both rugby codes. Her endeavours extend beyond the field, as she secured Heritage Lottery funding to tell the secret history of women and girls in Rugby League.

Julia said: “What a fabulous event and an honour to be invited. Great to see all generations of women's Rugby League represented at such a prestigious occasion. It was lovely to chat and rub shoulders with some of my childhood role models. 

“It was brilliant too to be able to invite representatives from three of the pioneer women's clubs from the 1980s. This is the start of telling the stories of women’s teams who faced so many barriers to play Rugby League – remembering their achievements and celebrating the progress we have made.”

Pictured (l-r): Ben Abberstein (Senior EDI partner, RFL); Julia Lee; Angela Carter; Bernie Mills; Tom Brindle (Women’s Super League General Manager and Head of Development, RFL); Michaela Hirst; Victoria Sinacola (Director of People and Culture, RFL); Sir Lyndsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House of Commons