Women’s cup raises bar

Sports

The rise of women’s rugby league is set to reach new levels on an international scale, with the 12 matches of the 2017 Rugby League Women’s World Cup kicking off today in Sydney to be broadcast on free-to-air television in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
The tournament, which was launched in spectacular fashion at the new Sofitel Darling Harbour on Tuesday, also has government and corporate backing for its historic staging that will see the men’s and women’s champions crowned on the same day and stage in Brisbane on Dec 2 for the first time.
Players from Australia, Canada, Cook Islands, England, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea came together at the launch ahead of the opening round at Cronulla’s Southern Cross Group Stadium today and were told that the global spotlight would be on women’s rugby league during the 17-day tournament.
“This is just an amazing moment in time for women’s sport,” said Harvey Norman chief executive Katie Page, whose company is sponsoring the Rugby League Women’s World Cup.
“Through Channel Seven, Sky TV in New Zealand and EMTV in PNG, millions of people around the world are going to be watching you.  You are elite sports people and this is quite frankly what you deserve,” Page said.
RLWC2017 chief operating officer Maria Sykes said: “To have the fifth staging of the women’s World Cup broadcast into New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the UK via the RFL website, as well as Australia, will have an immeasurable impact on the game.
“Through this amazing partnership, we will create history on a number of fronts. It will be the first time ever that men’s and women’s world champions will be crowned on the same day at the same venue in world sport.
“Let’s be very clear about what that means. No other sport has had both men’s and women’s world cup finals played on the same day and on the same field.
“This will be the first time the women’s World Cup will be broadcast live — not just in Australia but into New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
“This will be the first time the women’s teams have been given the same level of service for travel, accommodation, support staff, referees and game-day experience.
“And for the winners, it will be the first time they lift the new Rugby League Women’s World Cup trophy.”
RLWC 2017 CEO Andrew Hill said: “This is a truly historic moment for women’s Rugby League, not just in Australia but around the world.
“I thank the Australian, NSW and Queensland Governments for their great support that has made it possible for us to showcase the women’s teams to an international audience.
“I’m so proud that so many stakeholders have come on board with us. This is just the start. We are laying the blue print not just for women’s Rugby League, but hopefully other sports. We’ve now set the bar a little higher for other sports.”
With the support of the Australian, New South Wales and Queensland Governments the Rugby League Women’s World Cup 2017 pool matches and semi-finals will be played at Southern Cross Group Stadium from 16-26 November. The final will be played as part of a double-header with the men’s final at Brisbane Stadium on 2 December.
Australia will defend their title on home soil against pool rivals England and the Cook Islands; with New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Canada competing in the opposing pool.