They never had female players on Sky until the last 12 months so it’s been a real honour to be asked. It’s notjust about knowing the main players but the whole squads, injury updates, and so on. I hope I can do more after the World Cup or once I’ve retired from playing.” With big crowds and a tight four-way title race, the Women’s Super League seems to be going well…“Absolutely amazingly. It’s made such a difference having each team linked to a Super League club. People who love rugby league don’t care if it’s men or women playing; they just want to go and watch. I’ve not been on any of the legacy trips yet as I struggle totake time out in season but maybe I can get on the trip to Nigeria in October.” The eight teams for the 2021 Women’s World Cup will be announced soon, with Brazil and USA possible contenders. Maybe Nigeria will be there.” Part of the legacy project for the World Cup is to have 21,000 female players in the UK. “When they announced where the games would be hosted [England will open the Women’s World Cup at Anfield and the final will be at Old Trafford] there was a real buzz. A couple of years ago, half the time nobody even knew there was a women’s game. But now we’re sharing the stadiums with England men, that’s a huge boost for women’s sport, not just rugby league. People know nowwomen’s rugby league is a great sport to be a part of - and there’s a pathway to fantastic experiences at the end of it.” Gallery: The women facing a big summer of sport (Grid) How have things changed now you are no longer playing in a media vacuum?“It’s a completely different ball game. No players actually get paid but we have to conduct ourselves on and off the pitch as if we are professionals, because that’s the only way to push the game forward. You mighthave had a sending-off previously when only the two teams knew about it, but now there’s media coverage. Equally, we’re seeing the best performances we ever had as everyone knowsthey’ve gotto step up, train hard and be as much of an athlete as they possibly can be to put on the best performance.” That is leading to personalities being promoted, such as yourself, Lois Forsell at Leeds Rhinos, and Georgia Roche and Kelsey Gentles at Castleford…“We are seeing that. We’re getting media coverage and sponsorships from people who want to be associated with the women’s game, which creates opportunities for female players. I’m an absolute rugby league nerd and, although I don’tget paid to play, I have a job in the game, where I can hopefully make a difference to women’s rugby league and get as many women and girls playing as I can. The money for playing is not enough to cover the rest of the year.” Although it’s been going for decades at amateur level, this is early days for women’s rugby league. And two players in our National Performance Squad are referees: Tara Jones was the first female to officiate at a Super League game and CaitlinBeeverswas thefirst to officiate at Wembley.
Komentar
Posting Komentar