Smaller clubs vital to Origin

A WOMEN’S State of Origin game has been given the green light to go ahead this year.

But with the inaugural QRLW competition’s cancellation and no confirmation of an NRLW series going ahead, Queensland’s chances will fall on the ability of communities to get the grassroots of the game off the ground.

The stand-alone clash is set to go ahead on November 13. broadcast live that night.

New South Wales’ major state competition, the Harvey Norman Premiership, is expected to return in July, providing a clear pathway and competitive outlet for players to force their way into the Origin side.

However, North Queensland Cowboys elite pathways co-ordinator Ben Jeffries said with no Queensland tournament, athletes vying for a maroon jersey will largely have to rely on community football.

While he said getting State of Origin was crucial to engaging audiences again, the Queensland under-18s coach admitted selections could be determined by locations able to host competitions again.

“I think to showcase the best product you’ve got to have both states playing the best level of football,” Jeffries said.

“The benefit is it’s a celebration of the women’s game, we can get a true reflection of how many people are actually following the game as well.

“(But) it’s going to come down to what regions are playing. If, for arguments sake, you’ve got no one in North Queensland playing it’s going to be hard to pick them in an Origin game.

“But if there’s thousands of players playing in central or southeast Queensland they’ll (likely) be plucked out of there.

“It’s going to be a huge challenge for the QRL to go forward with.”

While the North Queensland Gold Stars coaching director was disappointed by the loss of the QRLW after one round, the fact community football is still on the horizon presents hope the game will continue to grow.

He said the success of grassroots rugby league, and its imminent return under COVID19 guidelines, was imperative to the sustainability of the women’s code.

“If you don’t have grassroots footy you don’t have the base to provide a QRLW competition,” Jeffries said.

“The best thing is it (Origin being confirmed) shows the commitment from the NRL.

“We’re still heavily invested in the women’s game and it presents opportunities for women in Queensland to put their best foot forward and put on that Queensland jersey.”