An enormous surge in female rugby league participation in the shire is expected to continue thanks to Cronulla hosting the women’s World Cup in November.
Six teams from three continents including England, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea will compete in the fifth staging of the tournament with Southern Cross Group Stadium at Woolooware to host all pool and semi-final matches.
The shire has helped pioneer women’s rugby league through the local Cronulla Caringbah Sharks and Cronulla Sharks NRL clubs.
NSW Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres joined Member for Miranda Eleni Petinos and Member for Cronulla Mark Speakman to meet junior female players and Australia Jillaroo and Cronulla Shark Corban McGregor at Shark Park last week.
Ms Petinos said momentum for a national women’s competition was growing ahead of the World Cup.
“There has been an 88 per cent increase in women playing rugby league in the Sutherland Shire in the last year,” she said.
“In 2015 there were five players, now there are 484. With the World Cup to be played here [in] November we expect those numbers will soar.”
Jeff Killick, the father of twin 16-year-old girls as well as a 14-year-old daughter who play four different codes including league with Cronulla Caringbah, never thought he would have the chance to watch his daughters play rugby league.
“Who would have thought 30 years ago I could cheer on my daughters playing rugby league? It means a lot to them to play and it means a lot for me to watch them,” he said.
Mr Ayres called on parents and sporting codes to use the introduction of the Active Kids Rebate to spark a major increase in the participation rate of girls in sport.
“Female participation is now the fastest growing area of rugby league but there is a high drop out rate from the age of 12. We want to turn that around and make sure talented junior players have pathways to continue playing the sport they love,” Mr Ayres said.
“The rebate is an important part of our record $401 million sport budget which is an investment in community sport and significantly will encourage more girls and women to be involved in sport and fitness.”
Mr Speakman joined calls for parents to take advantage of the rebate which will be introduced from January 1.
“Whether your son or daughter plays netball, football or basketball or takes part in swimming classes, gymnastics or athletics, families will be able to claim up to $100 per school child through an online voucher system, helping to ease pressure on family budgets,” Mr Speakman said.
Details: sport.nsw.gov.au