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The number of women playing rugby league in southern Queensland has increased by huge numbers — now the question is, what to do with the kids after kick off?
Key points:
- The number of women playing rugby league in Toowoomba has risen from 17 to 300 in the past four years
- As the league grows, the club is looking for ways to make it easier for players juggling parenting responsibilities
- Management said that female players are in many ways better to coach and enthusiastic to learn, with a strong Indigenous quota among the players too
In the past four years, the number of women playing rugby league in Toowoomba has skyrocketed, with juniors increasing from 17 to 300.
"There's definitely no fear out there," NRL hopeful and player Molly O'Connell said.
"We get in, get the job done, put on the big hits — that's what the crowd likes to see."
The number 13 for Toowoomba Valley's Fillies has played a crucial role in the establishment of the local league.
"I don't think it would hurt any more or less than what it would hurt a man to be honest, we're just as tough as them," Ms O'Connell said.
The Filles just hosted their first home game, attracting international superstar and jillaroo Ali Brigginshaw.
"The girls always know how to hit and they're actually stronger at home," she said.
As the women's league grows, Ms Brigginshaw said the role of people like her was to support the next generation of players.
"We play the game to inspire young girls to play," she said.
"There's more numbers because of what's happening at the higher level and everyone wants to be involved."
Child care needed
Valley's Fillies Coach Cameron Love said the club will look to open a creche to cater for the growth in player-parents.
"Some of them are single mums," he said.
"If they can't find a babysitter, they've got to consider hoping the kids are well-behaved on the sideline for 90 minutes after two to three-hour trips [to the games]."
Mr Love said the club were looking at ways to make it easier for players juggling parenting responsibilities.
"Not just have a coach, a first aid officer, a manager — [but to] have a child care officer come with us to the games to be able to look after and support children in that way," he said.
According to Ms Brigginshaw, flexibility was needed for mothers at all levels of the game.
"There may be some weeks where girls can't train because kids are sick and things like that, but I think everyone accounts for that," she said.
"So everyone knows, 'hey we've got a couple of Mum's on the team, if they can't come to training then that's okay'.
"You can still be a Mum and your kids can watch you play."
Indigenous engagement strong
Molly O'Connell, also an Indigenous All Stars player, said with almost half her club's side made up of Indigenous players, the game was helping to strengthen that community.
"It gives the community a place to come together to celebrate something they all have in common," she said.
"I think it would probably go back to our ancestors — they had their tribal games.
"I think it's just in our blood … it's just amazing the natural talent."
Females 'better' to coach
Richard Dugdale, NRL Game Development Manager Central Division, said Toowoomba has led the way for female participation.
"I think there's a general acceptance now that rugby league can be played by both male and females and it's not just a male game or a token effort for female participation," he said.
According Mr Dugdale, women were also making the job of player management easier.
"Ladies are fantastic to coach, always inquisitive, wanting to know why things happen and very genuine about their desire to play the game and learn the game," he said.
"To a degree, females are more concerned about the intricacies of the game and learning the game rather than just running out there playing the game."
Future is bright as girls numbers increase
Toowoomba Junior Rugby League Girls coordinator Jackie Stephson has been credited with the growth.
"I'm trying to just give them the same opportunity the boys have got," she said.
"The passion of those girls out there, they're training, they're keen, they don't care if they win or lose.
"They cop a hiding, they come back the next week and play again, they don't care."
Topics: women, rugby-league, sport, human-interest, children---preschoolers, children, family-and-children, toowoomba-4350