Now in its 15th year, NRL will celebrate the Harvey Norman Women in League Round this week.
The round puts a focus on not just the role of women within rugby league but also the gender inequality gap in wider society.
At the current rate of progress, it will take 136 years to tackle the gender inequality gap. This gap has only widened through the COVID pandemic.
In round 22 the NRL is rallying our community to play a part in accelerating the path to a level playing field.
Levelling the playing field might be simply holding ourselves accountable for our own biased attitudes, challenging gender stereotypes, and calling out sexist behaviour or harassment.
This week the NRL will be shining a spotlight on the women who are instrumental in bringing the game to fans and grassroots players across Australia, to help grow interest in the game amongst female fans and players.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Progress in rugby league
Female participation represents the fastest growing segment of the game with 15% growth over the past few years.
Through the 'Female Coach Mentoring Program', the number of female coaches has grown exponentially to 1589, with five out of six NRLW teams now with a female assistant coach, and both NSW and QLD Women's State of Origin teams coached by women.
There has been a significant growth in the number of female referees from 5% female representatives to over 14% through the 'Women in League Officiating Program', with notable alumni including Belinda Sharpe and Kasey Badger.
The NRL continues to invest in programs that address gender inequality, including Voice Against Violence, League Stars Inspire, In League in Harmony, and Respectful Relationships training across clubs, state league teams, and junior representatives.
The NRL currently has partnerships with a number of globally recognised bodies driving equality including Champions of Change, Our Watch, and UN Women.
Women In League Round matches
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
The premiers take on the 2019 grand finalists, with the Storm hunting another minor premiership and the Raiders racing to secure a top-eight finish.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Penrith could welcome back NSW halfback Nathan Cleary in this clash with a Dragons side vying to stay in the hunt for a place in the finals.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Brisbane are out of the finals race but can still cause some havoc and build momentum for 2022 against a Roosters side that has defied a string of key injuries to remain a finals force this season.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Two of the most talented attacking outfits in the league go head-to-head here, with the Rabbitohs in red hot form and the Titans looking to play their way into the finals for the first time since 2016.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
There has been little between these teams this season, with this match shaping up as potentially one of the closest of the round.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Once comfortably inside the NRL's top four, the Eels are reeling from three straight defeats but and face a huge challenge against a Manly outfit boasting arguably the game's best player, Tom Trbojevic.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
These teams already have one eye on the future but both are blessed with young guns capable of dominating the highlight reels, with Warriors fullback sensation Reece Walsh going up against promising Bulldogs playmaker Jake Averillo.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
The round wraps up with a clash that could have big implications for the finals, with Cronulla looking to break back into the top eight and Newcastle finally getting a full-strength team available.
Sign up for the NRLW newsletter for all the latest news and information regarding the NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership and women’s rugby league, and be the first to find out when tickets go on sale