The RFL has announced new training sessions and local friendlies as ways of maintaining momentum in Women’s Rugby League following the decisions not to restart the Coral Women’s Challenge Cup and to cancel the Betfred Women’s Super League competition in 2020.
Marc Lovering, Participation and Development Director, the RFL says:
“The cancellation of the competitions is a huge sadness for the players, coaches, volunteers and all of us committed to the continued growth of Women’s Rugby League, after such high hopes for a best ever season.
“We have taken time to explore every possible option for the competitions. We have been in close dialogue with clubs and foundations throughout the interruption caused by the Covid-19 situation.
“The complex work needed with Government and other partners to build return to play strategies in contact sports has meant that full contact Rugby League, with rule adaptions, is only likely to return in October – and then only in the form of local friendlies with limited travel. We are therefore timed out of delivering these prestigious competitions safely and with integrity.
“Together our focus is on group training activities at clubs leading to the October friendlies and, for the players in the Performance squads, dedicated England training sessions and a programme of support for players and coaches ahead of the start of next season and the World Cup year.
“We will continue to support clubs with training and player recruitment resources. We also remain very grateful to our sponsors at a national and club level for the support they have continued to show Women’s Rugby League in this challenging and unprecedented time.
“We hope the whole sport shows its support for the Women’s friendly fixtures in October, and for the England Performance Squads as they step up their training at this crucial time.”
England Performance Training sessions
Sessions for the England Senior Women and new England Knights squads will take place across September and October at bases in Yorkshire and in Lancashire, led by the England Performance Unit (EPU), Head Coach Craig Richards, and National Women’s and Girls’ Talent Manager Stuart Barrow.
Throughout the lockdown period elite players have received support from Craig Richards and the EPU – this will continue to ramp up with further support and resources to these players and their club coaches.
Friendly fixtures
Under the RFL Return to Play Guidance, all women’s teams have the opportunity to play friendly fixtures in October and a large number have already indicated their plans to do so to the RFL. Clubs will be supported by the RFL Development Team to link these activities to player recruitment for season 2021.
Mental wellbeing support
Rugby League Cares and partners, including Sporting Chance, have worked hard to extend support services and resources to female players.
Coach support and peer mentoring
Webinars for coaches of Women’s and Girls’ RL will continue, as well as direct support to individuals alongside club visits. The RFL has delivered coaching webinars specifically for women’s and girls’ coaches, and offered up a direct link to support them. Club visits are planned and virtual support is already taking place.
Social impact of the growth to date in Women’s and Girls’ Rugby League
A new research project is underway, following the success of the RL Dividend Report, to evidence the wider social impacts of the growth to-date of women’s and girls’ Rugby League. Surveys have been shared with players, coaches, volunteers, and stakeholders across the sport, and a series of interviews and research sessions will take place. The resulting report will highlight the impact of the expansion and increased profile on individuals, clubs, and communities. Everyone involved in, or with an interest in, the impact and continued growth of women’s and Girls’ RL is encouraged to respond.
In addition, a Women’s & Girls’ Rugby League Fan Survey is now online.
2019 was record year for Women’s Rugby League. Title sponsors were achieved for both major competitions; media coverage exceeded all records including the first ever live Sky coverage of the BWSL Grand Final; and England Women made two ground-breaking trips to the Southern Hemisphere to play in the World Nines and then to Papua New Guinea.
