Women’s World Cup gets green light

A Women’s Rugby League World Cup will run parallel to the men’s competition for the first time next year.

Pool matches for the women’s tournament will be hosted at Cronulla’s home ground from November 16 in 2017.

“It has always been the Board’s vision to have the Women’s Rugby League World Cup played concurrently with the men’s tournament and through the strong support of the NSW Government, we have been able to create what is a milestone moment for the sport,” RLWC 2017 chief executive Andrew Hill told the ABC.

“It’s only fitting these gifted athletes get the opportunity to showcase their skills on a global stage and we see next year’s Women’s Rugby League World Cup as a game charger for the sport.

“Female participation in all forms of rugby league is the fastest growing category in the game and women’s international rugby league has made great strides forward in recent years.”

The finals of both the men’s and women’s tournaments will be played as a double-header at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on December 2.

The Women’s World Cup will feature Australia, New Zealand, England, Papua New Guinea, Canada and the winner of next month’s Pacific qualifying series between Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands.