‘Don’t Shrink the Opportunity’: Thousands Rally to Save Western Women’s Rugby League from NSWRL Axe

In shortPathway Under Threat: More than 2,800 people have signed a petition urging the NSWRL to overturn its decision to scrap the Western Women’s Rugby League (WWRL) spring competition from 2027.Regional Barrier: Supporters and local MP Roy Butler warn that axing the multi-town competition will leave remote female athletes without a viable, local pathway to transition from junior to senior rugby league.Call for Retention: Organisers argue the WWRL acts as a critical feeder and retention tool rather than a competitor to premier divisions, pleading with administrators not to dismantle the competition before a workable alternative exists.

A petition has been launched to convince the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) to reverse its plan to scrap the Western Women’s Rugby League (WWRL) spring competition from 2027.

Supporters across the state’s west warn the move will cut off crucial playing pathways for regional female athletes, including those across the far-flung western districts, where geographic isolation and smaller player bases make fielding standalone local teams a persistent challenge.

A petition established by regional rugby league advocates last month has attracted more than 2,800 signatures, calling on the governing body to preserve the multi-town competition structure.

Organisers argue that the loss of the WWRL risks stripping away one of the few realistic avenues for local female athletes to stay involved in senior and junior rugby league without travelling unmanageable distances to larger regional centres.

“We call on NSW Rugby League to reverse the decision to discontinue the Western Women’s Rugby League (WWRL) competition from 2027,” the petition stated.“The removal of the WWRL will reduce playing opportunities for women and girls across Western NSW and risks weakening participation in the very competitions NSWRL is seeking to grow.”

According to the petition organisers, the competition plays an essential role in bridging the gap for smaller outback communities where junior numbers often drop off at the senior transition level.

“The WWRL serves a distinct and important purpose. It brings players together across a large regional footprint, creating viable teams and meaningful competition where individual towns may not yet have the numbers to sustain strong women’s and girls’ competitions on their own,” the statement said.“Removing that structure does not create more players. It removes an existing reason to play.”

The campaign points out that rather than undermining other state initiatives, like the Peter McDonald Premiership Women’s competition (PMPW), the regional spring competition acts as a feeder and retention tool.

“If the long term objective is to grow participation in competitions such as the Peter McDonald Premiership Women’s competition (PMPW), the WWRL should be part of that strategy,” organisers stated.“The two competitions do not need to compete for relevance. They can work together for the benefit of the game. The WWRL can assist with attracting and retaining players while they build experience and confidence, and produce an increased pool of women and girls available to participate competitions such as the PMPW.”

Member for Barwon Roy Butler MP has thrown his support behind the call for the decision to be reversed.

“NSW Rugby League is cancelling the once-a-year short season western women’s rugby league,” Mr Butler said. “It’s the only comp they have for girls and women out west and instead of looking at other models or options have decided to stop from 2027. Please sign the petition to save the Western Women’s League Competition.”

The petition highlights that physical access directly drives future registrations among grassroots participants.

“For girls and women in Western NSW, playing rugby league is not always as simple as joining a team in the next suburb. Distance and smaller populations mean communities do not always have the numbers to create strong, sustainable competitions on their own,” organisers said.“Western NSW does not need fewer opportunities for women and girls to play rugby league. It needs a model that promotes a united approach that grows the player base and gives regional participants more reasons to enter and remain in the game.“We ask NSWRL to retain the WWRL beyond 2026 and work with clubs, players and communities across Western NSW to develop a sustainable model that allows the WWRL and local competitions to strengthen and support each other.“Do not remove an established competition before a viable alternative exists. Use the WWRL to grow the game, not shrink the opportunity.”

The petition remains open as regional clubs await formal feedback from the NSWRL ahead of the scheduled 2027 phase-out.