The NRL chief executive, Andrew Abdo, says the Fifa Women’s World Cup has boosted interest in women’s sport across all codes after more than 30,000 attended the first round of the expanded NRLW over the weekend.
But he expressed disappointment about the ongoing action by the players’ union to avoid game-day media obligations, which has resulted in fewer journalists covering press conferences.
St George-Illawarra’s NRLW coach, Jamie Soward, complained there was no media to ask him questions in Newcastle on Saturday following his side’s 32-16defeat to the Newcastle Knights.
Negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) continue, and the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) has elected to cut down on media appearances as it hopes to bring the NRL back to the table ahead of an October deadline.
Abdo said players will make their own choices.
“It’s unfortunate for us, we want the CBA resolved as soon as possible, but really it this is an action that the players association has elected to do,” he said.
“We can’t control that, but what we can control is making sure that we promote the games as much as we can.”
Journalists from Sydney may have travelled to Newcastle in another week if players were available, but on Saturday there was nobody around to talk to Soward in the normal post-match media opportunity.
Soward said on Twitter: “Tough after the game that no one stuck around for the press conference.”
More than 30,000 fans attended the five NRLW matches on the weekend, which included three NRL/NRLW double headers as well as two standalone matches that attracted close to 5,000 fans.
It was the first round in an expanded NRLW competition, which includes 10 teams this year.
Abdo rejected the notion the Women’s World Cup had created a challenging environment for the launch.
“I think it’s great for women’s sport that we’re seeing such terrific numbers, both in terms of live attendance and TV audiences for all women’s sport, and there’s a real positive momentum around it,” he said.
“So I actually think, to be honest, it amplifies it.”
Both the NRL and NRLW will this week celebrate the “Women in League Round”.
Megan Davis, an Australian Rugby League commissioner, said there had been a period of cultural reckoning around attitudes towards women in rugby league. But she now describes the environment as “healthy”.
“We did lift the bonnet, and the commission was really committed to improving the broader, wider culture in relation to women and gender,” she said.
Davis said although there had been criticism for the NRLW’s relatively slow rate of expansion compared with the AFLW, the code feels like it has avoided the pitfalls of growing too fast.
“We did a lot of work with the AFL about how they might have expanded too quickly and how many resources are required to run a solid comp that is equal in standard,” she said.
Davis said rugby league had benefited from the no-fault stand down rule, which allows the NRL to suspend players who face serious charges, such as domestic abuse or sexual assault, before a court has decided on the matter.
“Things like the stand down-rule has enabled the game to really flourish, and that’s what you’re seeing today, with a lot of investment coming into the game, and support of companies and corporates for the healthy culture that we have,” she said.
She called on organisations involved in the sport to show faith in those from outside rugby league, especially women, when recruiting.
The proportion of female staff at the NRL is about 34%, and Davis said “we know we have to do better”.
