May 07, 2024
Women’s teams changing rugby league
A scout for the NRL says the women’s game is helping to raise the acceptability of rugby league within whānau.
Event promoter Dixon McIver says the popularity of the Warriors and the work Aotearoa Māori Rugby League has done to run age group competition for both boys and girls is helping drive the support among Māori and Pasifika whānau.
He told Radio Waatea host Shane Te Pou women are changing the face of the sport.
“The women’s game will be the saviour of the men’s game going forward, simply because they’re not going to get the mum’s anymore saying – oh that game’s too rough for my son. Because the boys are going to tell you – hang on – mum, you’re playing, my sister’s playing, why can’t I play?” McIver says.
He says the influence of Maori and Pasifika women on the NRL is clear – with rugby stars successfully switching codes… and next year there will alse be a women’s Warriors side entering the competition.