Female footballers could be just three years away from deriving an income after the New South Wales Rugby League "unveiled a raft of new participation opportunities for women in the sport," according to Adrian Proszenko of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The NSWRL "announced the formation of the Tarsha Gale Nines," a U18 female competition that will be staged from '17. The nine-a-side tournament, which will run alongside the existing Harold Matthews and SG Ball junior competitions, "is part of a five-year plan to provide pathway opportunities to females across the state." Organizers "are hoping to field up to 10 teams in its inaugural year," possibly under National Rugby League club branding. At least three clubs "expressed an interest in entering sides following the announcement at Parliament House on Wednesday." The Tarsha Gale Nines "is the first step in a new female pathways program from 2017." A U16 competition "will be launched the following year, while an elite senior tournament in line with the NSW Intrust Super Premiership could be launched as soon as 2019." The latter competition "could mark the first time that female footballers, who have to pay their own way even while playing at the elite level, will receive match payments." NSWRL GM of Football Barrie-Jon Mather said, "There will be some work to do around sponsors and the commitment from the game, but we're taking that first step in establishing the competition. Hopefully everybody else can come to the party" (SMH, 8/24).
