Queensland will get their chance for revenge on home turf in 2020 with the Sunshine Coast chosen to host the Women’s State of Origin match.
It will be the first time Queensland has hosted the match under the official Holden State of Origin banner. The Origin clash was played at North Sydney Oval the past two years with NSW emerging victorious on each occasion.
NRL head of elite football Graham Annesley said the time was right for the fixture to head to Queensland.
“This is a major event for the Sunshine Coast. It will bring visitors from across the country and inject significant money into the local economy,’’ he said.
“The Sunshine Coast is a growing area with the perfect stadium for Women’s State of Origin which is why we chose the region.”
Match Highlights: Jillaroos v Kiwi Ferns
“North Sydney Oval was at capacity for Women’s State of Origin this year and we are confident the Sunshine Coast community will support the match just as strongly.”
NRL general manager of elite women’s programs Tiffany Slater said Origin was a key driver in the continued rise of women’s rugby league.
“The rapid growth of the women’s game has been tremendous, a lot of which can be attributed to this fixture, as well of course from the Holden Women’s Premiership and the Jillaroos,” Slater said.
“There will be countless girls and boys from Queensland and interstate getting up close and personal to many of their idols during this week and on game night, creating rugby league memories that will undoubtedly last a lifetime.
“I know for certain the likes of Ali Brigginshaw, Annette Brander and Talisha Harden will be ecstatic to play in front of their home fans again, and I’m just as certain Kezie Apps and the Blues will be doing everything they can to keep the shield in NSW.”
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said securing the Women’s State of Origin event for the Sunshine Coast was further evidence of the region’s growing reputation in the NRL.
