But for Country Rugby League (CRL) interest in the women’s game has almost demanded it.

In just three months from now an estimated 700 players from 35 confirmed teams will help launch the inaugural all-female rugby league competitions for the greater Newcastle, Hunter and Central Coast region.  

Mums, daughters, sisters, wives and partners alike will strap on the boots in 13-a-side, tackle matches across four divisions – under 14s, under 16s, under 18s and opens.

Clubs ranging from Wests to Stockton, Beresfield to South Lakes and Cardiff to Glendale have already shown interest.

CRL women’s participation officer Kyle Hilder said the initial response had simply been overwhelming and follows on from a successful “November Nines” tournament held last year.

“We’re overwhelmed with the response,” Hilder said.

“It was just running off the back of the success of the Nines here. We had huge numbers and we thought it was time that we put it out there to run a 13-a-side competition.

“It’s just an exciting time for women’s rugby league.”

Hilder, an Australian touch football representative who played in North Newcastle’s NSW Women’s RL Premiership grand-final campaign last year, said numbers have been capped in 2018 to ensure long-term sustainability in the newly formed CRL Central Hunter Combined Competitions.

But more importantly, she said getting the ball rolling would not only provide opportunities for females to play rugby league but also pathways to higher representative honours. 

The Newcastle Knights will this year field a team in the second statewide under-18 Tarsha Gale Cup, senior State of Origin fixtures will coincide with the famed men’s series and an NRL Women’s Premiership is also set to commence with 40 contracted players.

And all this after the Australian women’s squad, the Jillaroos including Newcastle pair Caitlin Moran and Bec Young, won the World Cup on home soil last month.

“It’s the game’s fastest growing product,” CRL operations manager Bert Lowrie said. “And I don’t think it’s growing anywhere quicker than Country NSW.”

Exact details of the competitions are being worked through, which included a meeting with officials at Charlestown on Thursday.

The already established Ladies League Tag competitions are scheduled to continue under both Newcastle Rugby League and Newcastle Hunter Rugby League banners.