EARNING SHOTS
ARLC praised for standing behind NRL women
RUGBY LEAGUE:
Women’s rugby league has received a huge boost in uncertain times, with the third season of the NRLW competition confirmed to go ahead.
Speculation about the staging of the league this year, as well as the financial sustainability of some clubs, was growing.
However the Australian Rugby League Commission quelled any concerns, announcing a four-week competition to run in line with the finals of the NRL in October.
The competition has proven fruitful for Darling Downs players, with Killarney’s Steph Hancock and former Warwick student Heather Ballinger involved in Brisbanes back-toback premierships.
While Ballinger has announced her retirement from the sport, Hancock will again lace up the boots as she looks to play her part in maintaing the Broncos dominance.
A long-time Queensland representative, Hancock has played in both fixtures for the Maroons since the rebranding to Women’s State of Origin.
The stand-alone fixture has been given the green light to take place on November 13 at the Sunshine Coast.
Former Australian teammate and current commentator Jo Barrett said she expects Hancock to be able to have an impact at both levels in 2020.
“Steph has maintained her training,” Barrett said.
“In the Queensland high performance squad, she’s still a really strong leader, and barring injury I can’t see why she won’t be a part of that representative scene.
“I think she will play a similar role where she can make an impact off the bench and boost the morale of the team.
“The Broncos have players like Chelsea Lenarduzzi in the front row that lay the platform and play well.
“When Steph comes off the bench, it means there’s not a weak spot in the team.”
Barrett, who played her junior rugby league in Warwick, said she was pleased that the competition has been stuck with despite the coronavirus pandemic.
“I think it reassures that the commitment is genuine (from the ARLC),” she said.
“If there was even an opportunity to say it was too hard, this was it. They’ve talked about a commitment to the women’s game, and this shows they are sticking with it.
“I’m really pleased they haven’t let it go. For players like Steph, it’s fantastic that their pre-season and hard work up until now will pay off.
“With the women’s Origin, the NRLW is an important opportunity to get some football in before the game in a season that has missed a lot of competitive football.”
The inaugural QRL women’s competition was abandoned after one round of play due to the impacts of coronavirus.
sean.teuma@thechronicle.com.au