Condobolin Junior Rugby League (JRL) celebrated all the women who help make a difference at their Club and at all other Clubs on Saturday, 30 July.
All teams played in pink socks and a celebratory cake was cut prior to the Under 17s League Tag match.
The 2022 Harvey Norman Women in League Round, called on the whole Rugby League community to recognise, celebrate and support women at all levels across the game.
This year’s theme is ‘Play Your Part to Change the Story’, highlighting that everyone has an important role to play in driving increased opportunities for women, both on and off the field.
Condobolin JRL member Billie O’Bryan thanked all women who are part of the Club and other Clubs, who give it their all week in and week out.
“This round recognizes the girls that play for Condobolin JRL and all the volunteers, the women on the Executive Boards, the women who run the canteen and the lolly shop, the women who train and coach, the women who referee, the women who sit on the table and the women who drive their kids all over the countryside so they can play footy,” she told the crowd on Saturday (30 July).
“Without all these women, we would not have a functioning club or competition. They have enabled so many kids to have an opportunity to play a sport they love.
“I would like to thank everyone for supporting this round. To everyone who bought the pink socks and bought merchandise for the round (which was designed by Renee Lemmon of Urban Funk Originals), and to all the businesses who donated prizes for the raffle.”
NRL CEO, Andrew Abdo, said that Harvey Norman Women in League Round was an opportunity to celebrate progress and those helping to drive it, as well as reflect on the work still to be done.
“Harvey Norman Women in League Round is a chance to celebrate all those who are playing their part for women in Rugby League – the incredible volunteers and club staff working tirelessly at a grassroots level, the legends and emerging stars inspiring young women to take up the game, the coaches and administrators creating new pathways, and our partners and media giving women the profile they deserve.
“We are proud that women’s Rugby League continues to enjoy unprecedented growth from grassroots all the way up to the elite level. We now have almost 35,000 registered female players across Australia – more than triple the number we had at the start of 2016 – and have already surpassed 2021’s total registrations this year by seven per cent.
“That, in turn, is supporting the growth of our state competitions and the NRLW, which will expand from six to 10 teams in 2023.
“But this round is also a reminder that we need to keep working for greater representation at all levels of the game – particularly when it comes to leadership positions across the game and creating pathways for future executives. Like any high performing team, we need everyone in the Rugby League community to play their part to change the story.”