NRL boss Andrew Abdo has announced the expansion of the NRLW competition.
Sharks, Raiders, Cowboys and Tigers will all enter the draw in 2023.
The national women’s rugby league competition made its debut in 2018 with only four teams – the Broncos, Roosters, Warriors and Dragons.
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The Warriors were forced out in 2021 due to the Covid-19 complication, but three more clubs were drawn in the Iles, Knights and Titans.
Brisbane has won the first three Premiership competitions. The Roosters defeated the Dragons in the 2021 Grand Final, which was played in 2022 after the tournament was postponed.
The 2022 season has not yet been played, and will still show only six teams. After that the new four teams will make their debut.
“We have a blueprint for investing in women’s sports at all levels,” said Peter V’landis, chairman of the Australian Rugby League.
“We’ve seen the quality of the 2021 NRLW Premiership and the tremendous growth in women’s participation that we have the potential to grow sustainably.
“The commission has proved again that women’s sport is a strategic priority. The quality of the club submission was excellent.
“The Commission has always kept the door open to expand into a 10-team competition based on the quality of applicants, and we’ve seen that the success of the 2021 Premiership comes through both the quality and the application made by the clubs.”
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Tigers boss Justin Pascoe is thrilled to get a license to compete.
“We are delighted with the decision to approve our application and we are excited to see the opportunities ahead,” Pascoe said.
“I am thrilled to have all the women in our system right now and those who will come to our game as a result.
“We have experienced a steady increase in the number of women participating in our catchment area over the last few years, and I am confident that this will not only continue but accelerate.”
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