LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The NRLW is set to expand to 12 teams, with the Bulldogs and Warriors joining the competition, marking a significant step in promoting women's rugby league in Australia and the Pacific.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo emphasized that this expansion "will act as a springboard for the continued rise of women's rugby league in Australia and the Pacific." The 2025 season is poised to kick off with a match between the Sharks and Parramatta, followed by a double-header featuring Canterbury against Newcastle at Accor Stadium.
The inclusion of the Bulldogs' NRL side following the women's game is expected to draw a large crowd for their inaugural match.
Though Abdo acknowledges that scheduling complexities exist, he remains optimistic that the success of the Origin series and the quality of the game will contribute to the sustained growth of the NRLW.
He aims for every NRL club, including the Perth Bears and the new PNG franchise, to have both men's and women's teams in the near future.
The upcoming season promises to elevate the profile of women's rugby league further.