Women’s rugby league is on the rise and local talent is set to light up the field with the introduction of a summer 9’s tournament.
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The region’s inaugural competition will kick off in Armidale next Saturday, February 4 with six rounds between six opens teams and three under 17s sides.
Armidale Rams’ player Kate McCulloch came up with the idea to hold a women’s competition three years ago after playing rugby league in Sydney.
"I have been an elite athlete my whole life, I played hockey when I was growing up,” she said.
"When I went to Sydney, I played down there.
"Being the type of person I am, I am a country girl, I thought country people should be able to play as well.”
She said the first year of competition was met with little enthusiasm but with the NRL creating pathway programs for women in the sport, her idea of holding a competition in the area gained momentum.
"Initially when we first started we tried to hold it over winter so there was a lot opposition from the clubs, that was because the league tag has been so successful and they were worried it would take away from that,” she said.
"We didn't receive too much support the first year, that was 2014, but we did have a competition and the following year it dwindled off.
"Financially the girls couldn't keep affording to play.
"As it has become more popular, the CRL have started supporting and their solution is to play it over the summer and in the 9s format where the teams don't need as many players and it doesn't clash with the league tag.
"Using that format we are getting the support we need to really get it up and running.”
It has become so popular that six clubs across the region have put forward teams with strong numbers.
Armidale’s open team consists of some of the local Rams’ league tag players as well as a few who expressed interest in playing the full contact form of the sport.
They still wish to form an under 17s side with some youngsters already putting their names down to pull on the boots.
McCulloch said they are still hopeful in growing their numbers and it is open to anyone wanting to join in.
"We have a few girls that are interested and if it all comes together we will have the numbers to play the under 17s,” she said.
"If there are girls out there that want to play, they are still welcome to come along and come to our training sessions and try it out to see how they go.”
The Rams train at 5.30pm Mondays and Fridays at Rugby League Park.
Week one of the tournament is in Armidale followed by Tingha hosting the second on February 11.
Tamworth will host round three on February 18 before it heads back to Tingha on February 25.
The final round of the tournament will be in Tamworth on March 4 with finals to be played in Armidale on March 11.