Melbourne Storm have declared their interest in fielding a team in the new NRL women’s competition.
Up to six teams will form the national women’s competition that will kick off in 2018. These teams will be aligned with NRL Clubs.
Storm is among the first to publically express their interest in having a women’s team wear the purple jersey for the first time in its history.
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CEO Dave Donaghy said that there was certainly a desire to be part of the newly formed competition.
However a significant obstacle standing in the way is doubt around whether the current facilities would be able to accommodate another elite sports team.
“We’re certainly interested in it but we’ve also got some challenges though around facilities and fields in this market which are quite unique to Melbourne so they kind of go hand-in-hand,” Donaghy told the Herald Sun.
“AAMI Park’s a wonderful stadium but it’s really getting to a point where it’s at capacity.
“Melbourne is the sports capital of the country and should have its own rugby league women’s team. Ultimately Storm will have a team in the competition, it’s just a matter of timing. But it’s an exciting venture for our game to take. Without doubt women’s rugby is the fastest growing area of the game.”
Games in the inaugural women’s competition will be played as double-headers in the lead up to and during the NRL finals series.
An announcement on which NRL Clubs will be aligned with women’s teams will be made in the new year.
