‘For the next generation I really hope this is the time when they get acknowledged for the skilled athletes that they are… It’s exciting to see where the sport could go from here. I would have loved to have been a professional rugby league player.’ - Rebecca Stevens
2004 onwards
School Growth
In 2000 saw the girls game grow via Champion Schools an RFL led competition.
Club Rugby
In 2003 Lisa Jagger was appointed Women and Girls Development Officer.
Whole Sport Plan
In 2006 the RFL developed a strategy to integrate the female game into the rugby league pathways.
2008 Festival of World Cups
In 2007/2008 England Lionesses was formed beating France both home and away.
Administration of the Community Game
In 2012 the RFL became administrators of the community game and moved the community game season to March – October.
2013 Festival of World Cups
Sally Bolton OBE is the Chief Executive of the Rugby League World Cup held in England and Wales.
Women’s Competition
In 2014 the RFL set up the Women’s Rugby League Championship.
Women’s Super League
In 2017 a major step forward took place with the creation of the Women’s Super League.
2017 Women's World Cup
The 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup was held in Australia between 16 November and 2 December 2017.
2019
England Women play in the World Cup 9s in Sydney and tour Papua New Guinea, the players are paid for the first time
Rugby League World Cup 2021
Unprecedented growth in women's rugby league, an ever-increasing talent pool and an insatiable fan thirst means it is set to be bigger and better than ever!
