In a surprising turn of events, the NRLW, Australia’s premier women’s rugby league competition, finds itself at a crossroads as the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) calls for significant changes to the league’s schedule and player compensation structure. The union’s bold proposal has the potential to reshape the NRLW’s future, but it also presents the NRL with a unique set of challenges as it strives to balance player welfare, logistical concerns, and the league’s long-term growth.
RLPA Demands Additional Compensation for Prime-Time Games
At the heart of the RLPA’s proposal is a request for additional payments to NRLW players who feature in Thursday evening matches. The union argues that since the NRLW is a part-time competition, players deserve compensation for taking time off from their day jobs to participate in these prime-time games. This demand, however, falls outside of the existing collective bargaining agreement that the RLPA and NRL agreed upon last year.
The stakes are high, as stand-alone Thursday night NRLW games have proven to be ratings winners, attracting more than one million viewers nationwide. The exposure these games provide is crucial for the league’s growth and the visibility of its players, but the RLPA insists that this should not come at the cost of the athletes’ financial well-being.
Thursday fixtures remain a long-term concern for NRLW players if they are not compensated for needing to take more time off work from their primary income.
Jamie Buhrer, RLPA general manager
Buhrer emphasized that while players are not opposed to Thursday night games in principle, they believe that proper compensation must be secured and guaranteed before the league moves forward with scheduling more of these fixtures.
Double-Headers and Later Kick-Off Times: A Logistical Quagmire
In addition to the compensation issue, the RLPA has also requested that the NRL consider scheduling more double-headers with NRL fixtures and that no games kick off before midday on weekends. The union believes this would allow junior players to attend games more easily.
However, this proposal is likely to face resistance from the NRL, which has made a concerted effort to maximize the NRLW’s exposure by providing the league with clear air in its broadcast slots. Scheduling more double-headers could create fixture congestion, cause logistical difficulties at smaller suburban venues, and potentially force fans to choose between attending NRL or NRLW games.
NRLW players are comfortable having double-headers or clashes with NRL fixtures because the alternative was a shorter schedule where each team only played 10 of the 11 teams. A double-header or clash is better than playing no game at all.
Jamie Buhrer, RLPA general manager
The NRL’s Balancing Act: Exposure, Revenue, and the Next Broadcast Deal
As the NRL navigates these demands, it must also keep an eye on the future. The league is keen to maximize interest and revenue in the NRLW ahead of the next broadcast deal, when it believes the women’s game will be a compelling product for broadcasters. This long-term vision has driven the NRL’s decision to give the NRLW clear air in its broadcast slots, with earlier kick-off times designed to attract more viewers.
The league’s efforts appear to be paying off, with the NRLW enjoying increased exposure and minimal clashes with NRL fixtures. However, the RLPA’s proposal threatens to disrupt this delicate balance, leaving the NRL with difficult decisions to make as it charts the NRLW’s future course.
Expansion on the Horizon: New Teams and Returning Favorites
Despite the current impasse, the NRLW is set for an exciting future. The league will expand to 12 teams in 2025, with the Canterbury Bulldogs joining as a new addition and the New Zealand Warriors making a long-awaited return after a three-year absence. This expansion is a testament to the growing popularity and importance of women’s rugby league in Australia and New Zealand.
As the NRLW navigates this critical juncture, all eyes will be on the NRL and RLPA to see if they can find a compromise that satisfies the players’ demands while also ensuring the league’s long-term growth and success. The outcome of these negotiations will not only shape the NRLW’s immediate future but also set a precedent for the treatment and compensation of female athletes in Australian professional sports.
The NRLW stands on the precipice of a new era, one filled with both challenges and opportunities. As the league, its players, and its fans await the resolution of this latest dispute, one thing remains clear: the passion, dedication, and skill of the NRLW’s athletes will continue to drive the sport forward, no matter what obstacles may lie ahead.
