The Gold Coast will play host to another key sporting event in June this year, with the NRL confirming the 2018 Harvey Norman Women’s National Championship will be played at Owen Park in Southport between 1 – 3 June.
The Championship will involve six teams, with an Australian Defence Force team competing for the first time in the history of the event.
Other teams competing include:
- Queensland City
- Queensland Country
- New South Wales City
- New South Wales Country
- Combined Affiliate States
NRL Senior Manager of the Women’s Elite Program, Tiffany Slater, said the Championship provided an extended pathway opportunity for players to compete for their region, with the aim of progressing to State and National representation in the future.
“The Championship is one of several women’s rugby league matches and events throughout 2018,” Ms Slater said.
“We’re in the middle of State Competitions, we’ve got State of Origin in June, the Premiership in September, and a Test Match against New Zealand in October.
“There’s a lot more women’s rugby league action to come, which is exciting for players and fans alike.”
Queensland Rugby League (QRL) Managing Director, Rob Moore said the Gold Coast was an ideal location for the Championship to take place in 2018.
“In June, the best female rugby league players will be aiming to secure overall victory for their team and I’d encourage fans to head along to Owen Park and cheer on the competition,” Mr Moore said.
“Our Queensland Men’s Championship and our Women’s Emerging Carnival will be running alongside the National Championship, so there’s plenty of rugby league to look forward to.”
Harvey Norman Chief Executive, Katie Page was delighted that the National Championship had been chosen to be showcased in South-East Queensland.
“The Gold Coast hosted the best Commonwealth Games competition in history, so it is fitting that the Gold Coast has been chosen to host the Women’s National Championships in June,” Ms Page said.
“These women are the nation’s best NRL players and an indication of the depth of extraordinary talent in the game.
“Harvey Norman is so proud to support all the teams competing at the National Championships. Each team is deserving of individual accolade, but we are particularly excited to see the women of the Australian Defence Force Team take the field.”
The Championship will be run in conjunction with the QRL’s State Men’s Championship, together with the QRL’s Women’s Emerging Carnival.
The NRL will also host a Talent ID day on 31 May at Runaway Bay Rugby League Football Club, in partnership with Griffith University, prior to the Championship.
The ID day will provide an opportunity for current female rugby league players, as well as female athletes from across sporting codes, to test themselves across a range of rugby league skills and drills, with the chance to be involved in the 2018 Women’s Premiership and beyond.
“In other words, the Talent ID is an ideal opportunity for rugby league players and non-rugby league players alike to trial, in effect, to be part of the Premiership later this year,” Ms Slater said.
The National Championship will be live-streamed via the QRL website.
