FNRL targets women’s tourney in new season

THE Fiji National Rugby League plans to set up the women’s competition next year.

This is after the introduction of the women’s competition in the 2020 Pherrus State of Origin proved to be a success.

The concept of the competition will be similar to the National Rugby League Women’s Premiership in Australia.

FNRL acting chief executive officer Don Natabe said they already had women’s rugby league played at the secondary school level but there was a gap between the secondary schools and the State of Origin level.

“There will be eight teams involved,” Natabe said.

“We want to create a pathway to the Fiji Bulikula just similar to the Fiji Bati concept.

“The players starting from the primary schools competition then go on to the secondary schools competition followed by the Vodafone Cup, then the State of Origin, followed by the Kaiviti Silktails, then the Fiji Residents and eventually donning the Fiji Bati jumper.”

Western State Maroons have already bagged the State of Origin women’s title after taking out the first two matches of the threematch series.

The third fixture is scheduled to be played at Churchill Park in Lautoka on November 21.

Natabe said it was a great result for the western women’s team.

He said the second fixture in Nadi last Friday was exciting as it went down to the wire with West snatching a last gasp 16-14 victory against their Eastern counterparts.

“At the moment we do not have a domestic competition for the women to understand their eligibility for the State of Origin,” Natabe said.

“This is why there were changes made in the roster for both teams in the second match.

“It just shows that the interest is increasing and we are looking at more women participation in the sport of rugby league.

“Come next year we will have a women’s club competition running.”