Picture: stock
Newcastle is to host the inaugural NRLW Magic Round next July as part of a three-deal deal between the NRL and NSW Government.
The next two rounds are expected to be held in other regional towns, the NRL says.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the decision to award Newcastle the inaugural edition was a simple one.
“We see in many ways Newcastle and the Hunter being the home of rugby league,” he said.
“So many of the young players that are representing Australia and NSW and (playing) first grade, whether in the men’s or women’s game, grew up in the Hunter.
“It’s a return home to the spiritual home of rugby league in the Hunter.”
Knights forward Simone Karpani says the move is exciting.
“It’s really exciting we get to have (Magic Round) at Newcastle because we’ve got a lot of great talent in the backyard, from under sixes all the way up to the women’s game,” she says.
“For them to get to see us play at home, it’s been said already, you can’t be what you can’t see.”
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the NRLW Magic Round is key to their quest to establish direct links between grassroots and the elite level.
Wests Tigers NRLW skipper Kezie Apps is keen to meet with fans from across NSW and beyond.
“It’s so important to have more games in regional areas and not only in the big stadiums,” she says.
“We need to go back to bush and take our games there.
“It’s so important the regional areas get this opportunity to witness all the different teams playing, especially when fans like different players in different teams. They can just come to one venue and watch all our superstars playing for different teams.”
All 12 teams will play over the two days, including the NZ Warriors and Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs joining the NRL next season.
