Rugby League’s sixth annual Women in League Round will be celebrated in Round 16 of the Telstra Premiership, from June 22 to 25.
This initiative, which celebrates the role of women in our game, is growing each year and over the next few weeks more than 1,000 women will attend dinners and lunches hosted by the Australian Rugby League Commission in Sydney and Bathurst (NSW), Ipswich and Bundaberg (QLD). Prior to the regional events, workshops will be held in each area to encourage more women to assume leadership roles in the game.
Thousands more women are also expected to attend NRL Club functions and activities including the Panthers’ Women in League Lunch, the Knights’ ‘Ladies Knight at the Movies’ and the Cowboys’ Women in League Cocktail Function at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
The Sydney Harvey Norman Women in League lunch on June 19 will reveal the ‘Favourite Son Award’ winner - presented to a player who acts as a role model to younger players and whose off-field characteristics embody the true values of the Rugby League community.
The winner is chosen on-line by women in the game, with nominees including BraithAnasta (Roosters), Luke Burt (Eels), Terry Campese (Raiders), Kurt Gidley (Knights), Luke Lewis (Panthers), Ben Creagh (Dragons), Matt Bowen (Cowboys), Joe Galuvao (Sea Eagles), Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) and Luke Bailey (Titans).
On-line voting for the Favourite Son Award is now underway until June 15.
For the third year, Harvey Norman Women in League’s charity partner is the McGrath Foundation, with Women in League Round activities such as the sale of pink socks, scarves and other merchandise, and the auction of pink Blades boots, jerseys and signed footballs, all helping to raise funds to provide breast care nurses. Other women’s charities will also benefit from club activities.