Three new clubs will join St George Illawarra and other inaugural teams in NRLW

Six clubs - Brisbane Broncos, Sydney Roosters, St George Illawarra Dragons, Newcastle Knights, Parramatta Eels and the Gold Coast Titans - will take part in the 2021 competition.

St George Illawarra has announced Mat Head as its new NRL Women's Premiership head coach ahead of the upcoming 2021 competition.

Head's coaching achievements at the Dragons and abroad are extensive. They include the 2013 SG Ball premiership win with the Balmain Tigers and the 2019 minor premiership with St George Illawarra's NSW Cup team.

"I'm really looking forward to creating a winning and exciting culture but most importantly a culture that's professional and disciplined," Head said.

Head had previously coached the New South Wales' women's State of Origin team in 2014 and 2015, where he awarded incumbent Dragons captain Kezie Apps with her maiden Blues jersey.

In 2021 the NRLW games will be played as double-headers to the men's NRL regular season and finals series matches,and teams will be trying to topple the reigning champions Broncos, who have won three premierships in three seasons.

Newcastle, Parramatta and Gold Coast will enter the NRLW in 2021 with a five-round and finals series scheduled to begin in August and run in line with the men's NRL Telstra Premiership from round 23.

It is the first time expansion has occurred in the NRLW since its arrival in 2018 with the confirmation providing clarity for players and staff leading into Ampol Women's State of Origin after months of speculation.

"Women's rugby league is the fastest-growing part of our sport and it's exciting to be in a position to expand the competition after the success of the last three seasons," Chief Executive Officer of the National Rugby League Andrew Abdo said.

"The NRLW competition has produced some of the best athletes in Australia, it's captivated a new fanbase and today's expansion will give more players the opportunity to play in an elite competition."

The new-look competition is expected to include talent equalisation across all 24-player squads, enabling new clubs to be able to recruit top-tier players in the game despite their current allegiances.