Rabbitohs remain committed to female pathways and entry into NRLW competition

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have said the Club remains committed to its female Rugby League football program whilst congratulating the Bulldogs and Warriors on today’s announcement by the NRL regarding expansion of the NRLW competition for the 2025 competition, based on geographic factors.

The Rabbitohs remain committed to building a successful pathway for female players, coaches and administrators, for pathways below NRLW.

The Rabbitohs currently field teams in the open-age NSW Premiership, the under 19s Tarsha Gale Cup, the under 17s Lisa Fiaola Cup, development squads, and work closely with Souths Juniors on junior football programs for female participants. Souths Cares, the charitable and community arm of the Club also runs development programs for young female players with members of the open-age women’s squad.

The Rabbitohs commend the NRL for their commitment to further funding for the women’s game as they work towards this arm of the sport being self-sustainable for the governing body and the clubs who participate in the competition.

Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly re-confirmed the Rabbitohs’ commitment to fielding a team in the NRLW competition in the future.

“We completely understand the NRL’s decision to expand with the Warriors and Bulldogs based on geographic terms in 2025, and we look forward to our opportunity to field a team when the time is right for the NRL’s expansion and our Club’s participation plans. Our application has always been based on an NRLW squad of players that have primarily come through our pathways programs. Nothing changes with this announcement, and we will use this additional time before entry to the NRLW to continue improving these programs.

“Our Members, investors, partners and boards all remain committed to the women’s game, and we will be ready to roll when the NRL permits a Rabbitohs team to enter the competition, hopefully sooner rather than later.”