Game changer: Sydney to host women’s World Cup alongside men

AFP: The women’s rugby league World Cup will be held alongside the men’s tournament for the first time next year in Sydney in what officials said Tuesday was a “game-changer” for the sport.

The competition last held in England in 2013 was won by Australia, and organisers plan to play the women’s and men’s finals as a double-header in December 2017.

“It’s only fitting these gifted athletes get the opportunity to showcase their skills on a global stage and we see next year’s women’s rugby league World Cup as a game-changer for the sport,” Rugby League World Cup 2017 organising committee chief executive Andrew Hill said in a statement.

“Female participation in all forms of rugby league is the fastest-growing category in the game and women’s international rugby league has made great strides forward in recent years.”

The 2017 contest starts on November 16 and will involve five confirmed teams – England, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea – as well as a sixth from the Pacific qualifying series held next month.

Previous women’s rugby league World Cups were part of the Festival of World Cups, which includes contests among defence, police, wheelchair and university teams.