Competition for Female Athlete Assets

Currently there is far more crossover between sports for elite female athletes than men, particularly as the two Rugby Codes establish themselves.
It was interesting to read the attached article on the situation for NRLW as the main competition for Union players.

Currently there are five Australian Tier 2 teams, with the future of the Rebels Women unknown as potential collateral damage in the wider Franchise troubles.
Five by 34-player squads being 170 players.
These teams have five matches per season, with a potential two more in the finals. From there it is back to amateur clubland, up to 5-6 International fixtures or look to League. There are some who transition to the more lucrative Northern Hemisphere and others who pick up short contracts in the NZ Women's comp.

Alternatively, the NRLW season isa nine-game regular season in 2023, followed by a two-week finals series.
There are 10 teams of 24-strong rosters, or 240 players.
There are three State of Origin matches and a handful of International commitments.

It strikes me that it wouldn't take that big a per player increase to be competitive with NRLW for the elite players that have the capacity to switch between Codes.

Alternatively, unlike the Men's Codes, the women could work together the synchronise their seasons so one flows to the next.
There really aren't enough matches to justify full time equivalent wages per match, but during this transition period it just might take some deep pocket sponsors to hire surplus "Admins" and "Cleaners" that don't turn up very often...

Everything you need to know: NRLW CBA

Alicia Newton
NRLW Reporter
Tue 14 Feb 2023, 06:44 PM

https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/02/14/...star%20players.