Push for NRLW childbirth policies

A LANDMARK NRLW collective bargaining agreement is set to be finalised this year, with the players’ union pushing for a new pregnancy and carer policy to help address the competition’s dropout rate.

Currently, 30 per cent of female players drop out of league’s premier women’s competition, and the Rugby League Players Association says the NRL’S lack of a parental and carer policy plays a role in this churn.

The RLPA has analysed policies from other sporting codes and its wishlist has been adapted to include:

• Paid contractual protection for up to 12 months and option to extend parental leave further if required (and player has a multi-season deal);

• Reasonable efforts to engage the player to perform other services in line with her contract to assist the team and club while pregnant;

• Appropriate facilities at clubs to ensure feeding and quiet space is available for mum, child and carer;

• Carer’s policy for travel to enable an infant up to two years old and a carer to travel with the player on away games, or for as long as a player’s child is being breastfed;

• Support for players who choose not to, or cannot, travel with their child;

• Appropriate medical support and treatment for players throughout their pregnancy and following the birth of their child or pregnancy loss.

Lina Caccamo, the RLPA’S general manager for elite women, said the players’ union was also looking to get support for additional paid leave for players who experienced miscarriage or stillbirth.

“Our goal is to create an environment that can support a player through every phase of their life,” she said. “Our proposed parental and carer’s policy ... will also help the game recruit more players and retain our most talented.”