England Women Head Coach, Stuart Barrow, praises opening weekend of BWSL

Stuart Barrow, the England Women Head Coach, has congratulated the players and clubs involved in “the best opening weekend we’ve had in the history of the Betfred Women’s Super League”. 

Barrow attended Friday night’s historic occasion at the DW Stadium, where the Wigan Warriors Women played for the first time against newly-promoted Barrow Raiders, and was also at the LNER Community Stadium on Sunday as York Valkyrie launched their BWSL title defence with a thrilling win against St Helens. 

“There was a big challenge to follow on from the record-breaking Grand Final we had at the end of last season, and I think the players and clubs have really delivered,” said Barrow. 

“To kick off the season with Friday night matches at the DW Stadium and AMT Headingley, two of Rugby League’s biggest and best venues, was a step forward in itself. 

“You could tell the Wigan and Barrow players were all excited to be part of history with the first domestic Women’s fixture at the DW Stadium. 

“Wigan had done a great job in promoting the match as a double-header with their men’s game against Castleford Tigers, and Barrow really rose to the challenge in their first Super League fixture – it was a match that showed great signs for the future for both teams. 

“Expectations were high for the York Valkyrie v St Helens match on Sunday, and it definitely lived up to the billing. 

“York started very strongly, but Saints fought their way back and even took the lead before Carrie Roberts scored a late try to win it for the Valkyrie. It was a high quality game and another really good occasion, as we are coming to expect for big Women’s matches in York.” 

The England coach will be out and about again for this weekend’s second round of fixtures as Wigan host the other newly-promoted club, Featherstone Rovers – who also competed impressively in their opening fixture at Warrington Wolves. 

That is followed by a pause in the BWSL campaign for an England training day in Leeds on Saturday May 4, before York host Leeds Rhinos in another blockbuster in Round Three on May 12 – and the stakes will increase again the following weekend with Wembley places at stake in the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Semi Finals.

Rhodri Jones, the Managing Director of RL Commercial, added: 

“It was an opening weekend of notable firsts for the Betfred Women’s Super League, on and off the field. 

“The first game for Wigan Warriors at the DW Stadium was also the first for Barrow Raiders in the BWSL – and the first to be covered live on Talk Sport 2, with Mark Wilson and Paul Cooke providing full match commentary. 

“Extensive media coverage across the weekend also included live commentary on that match by BBC Radio Manchester and BBC Radio Cumbria, before attention switched to the LNER Community Stadium on Sunday with live streaming of the York Valkyrie versus St Helens fixture on The Sportsman. 

“With BBC Sport providing live coverage of the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Semi Finals and Final, and Sky Sports kicking off their BWSL coverage when St Helens host Leeds Rhinos on May 24, the profile of Women’s Rugby League will be higher than ever in 2024.”

Rugby League also recently launched a world first - the Women’s Rugby League TikTok channel - with the keys to the platform being handed over to the stars of the Women’s game. 

Leeds Rhinos duo Caitlin Beevers and Amy Hardcastle are set to take the reins following a successful opening week of content provided by St Helens back-rower Emily Rudge. 

The TikTok sits alongside a new Instagram channel also dedicated to the Women’s game.

Betfred Women’s Super League:

Round One Results 

Leeds Rhinos 66 Huddersfield Giants 4 

Warrington Wolves 34 Featherstone Rovers 28 

Wigan Warriors 18 Barrow Raiders 4 

York Valkyrie 20 St Helens 16 

Round Two Fixtures 

Saturday April 27 

Leeds Rhinos v Warrington Wolves (Midday) 

Barrow Raiders v York Valkyrie (2pm) 

Sunday April 28 

Wigan Warriors v Featherstone Rovers (Midday) 

St Helens v Huddersfield Giants (2pm) 

Click here content and the latest news on the Betfred Women's Super League.