Jesse Southwell: “The Boys Get Three ,So Why Don’t The Girls?”

Tonight, the New South Wales Women’s Origin will face off against Queensland in Game One at the Commonwealth Stadium in Sydney, kicking off a big year for women’s Rugby League. 

For the first time since the competition began in 2018, this year’s Origin game has been upgraded to two matches instead of one. 

Why is the growth of NRLW so important?

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On today’s episode of This Arvo In Sydney, host Sacha Barbour Gatt spoke to a two-time premiership player Millie Boyle, and NSW’s youngest-ever NRL player Jesse Southwell, to find out their opinions. 

Boyle is a Sky Blue player who has been playing since 2019 and is a vocal advocate for the SOE to be decided in three matches rather than two. 

Typically, the Origin game is three games, so that’s where we would love to get to. Two is better than one, but three is what we’re striving for,”

Boyle said.

Boyle has witnessed more and more young girls participating in and watching the women’s Rugby League.  

It’s always good fun. It’s never as daunting as it might seem whether just getting to sport and you can transfer your talents across,”

she said.

Data showed that female participation in Rugby League was up to 17 per cent nationally last year. Rugby League has also become one of the fastest-growing sports among young girls. 

Boyle is not the only player who advocates for a three-match game; Southwell is also keen to see the NRLW eclipse the men’s as the most-watched competition. 

The boys get three, so why don’t the girls get three?”

Southwell said.

Southwell will become the youngest player to pull on the state jersey tonight; she is 18 years and 109 days, beating the previous NSW Origin record holder Brad Fittler (18 years, 114 days). 

I think the game is growing, and to see that there are two games is very special. It’s a different mindset for the coaches and the players, so that’s very exciting and very special.” 

Hosted by Sacha Barbour, This Arvo in Sydney is a 10 to 12 minute daily news podcast made just for Sydney! Listen now on the Listnr app.