Despite hostility as expressed above, women have been involved in rugby ever since the sport was first played seriously in the north of England in the 1870s, in the form of spectators, wives, mothers…and players. By the 1920s they were playing pivotal roles in the administration of clubs and the first matches involving women took place in the 1950s. By the mid-1960s women were coaching men’s teams. In the 1980s the women’s game began to develop and women such as Jackie Sheldon played prominent roles in the national leadership of the game. 2021 saw the 25th anniversary of the pioneering 1996 GB Lionesses’ tour to Australia, which was the start of many. 

But this Lioness history has not been recorded and these women, who have played for their country at the highest level, have not told their stories nor received the recognition they deserve. This exhibition tries to redress that and look at their experiences of rugby league and their own international careers, told in their own words.

Today, there are over forty adult women’s sides and countless girls’ teams playing the game. 2022’s Challenge Cup Final at Elland Road attracted a record crowd of 5888. With the delayed 2021 World Cup in England at the end of 2022, women will for the first time not only play on the same stages as the male and wheelchair rugby teams, but will receive the same amount of money. Rugby league has come a long way in terms of gender equality over the past two decades, and while there is always more work to be done, we have these women to thank for that. 

If you would like to book our ‘Life with the Lionesses’ exhibition for your venue or event, please get in touch!