Players in the NRLW will receive a 28 per cent pay increase on average as the competition moves to a salary cap system, with the NRLW also set to expand to eight teams in 2023 and ten teams in 2024.
The Australian Rugby League Commission has agreed to the expansion of the women’s game, that will also see some players receive full-time contracts.
The new salary cap system will see all teams in the NRLW receive a salary cap of $350,000, with clubs also given the ability to contract two marquee players as full-time employees outside of the salary cap restrictions. All NRLW players will also receive private health insurance, alongside other benefits.
This year, payments for representative players will also increase. State of Origin match payments will rise from $4000 to $6000 and All Stars payments will increase from $1,600 to $3000.
The State of Origin will also expand to a two-game stand alone series in 2023, with both games to be aired on free-to-air television.
The 2022 NRLW season will remain the same at six teams, before increasing by two teams in both 2023 and 2024.
The improvements have been announced after the players’ union and NRL met over a collective bargaining agreement for the women’s game.
NRL Chief Executive Andrew Abdo said it “was an exciting day for the women’s game”.
“The expansion of the NRLW competition and the introduction of the salary cap will ensure players earn substantially more income from our game,” Abdo said in a statement.
“There’s still a long way to go but this is another positive step in our growth journey for the NRLW.
Abdo said they were experiencing “significant growth” in television audiences and the changes were about creating a sustainable NRLW competition.
“That’s down to the player and the Commission will continue to invest and support that success,” he said.
“We’ve always been very clear that we would ensure our playing talent is deep enough and our clubs are prepared before expanding. The lead-in time ahead of the next expansion phase will ensure our clubs have the right infrastructure in place and there is even more depth to our playing talent.”
Abdo also said the changes were about creating stronger pathways for talent, including for female coaches, referees and administrators.
The new clubs to enter the competition in 2023 and 2024 will be decided in July, when their licenses are approved. Current clubs include Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast, Newcastle, St George, Sydney Roosters and Parramatta.