NRL and RLPA finally reach agreement on terms for women’s competition

The NRL and the RLPA have finally reached an in-principle agreement on key terms for the NRLW collective bargaining agreement.

After protracted negotiations – during which NRL players threatened to delay pre-season kick-off times if progress wasn’t made – the parties have agreed terms on major issues including pregnancy and parental arrangements.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the NRL had worked hard on a range of player benefits and other progressive aspects of the agreement, including an allowance for private health insurance along with 12-month contracts and the opportunity for players to sign multi-year contracts from 2023.

“The Australian Rugby League Commission is adamant that investment in the women’s game be prioritised at every level and the finalisation of terms for the elite NRLW is just one aspect of that commitment,” Abdo said.

“The proposed investment of $118 million across the five-year cycle at the elite level factors in future growth of the competition and is also supported by significant investment in pathways and grassroots participation as part of an overall strategy for women’s rugby league development.

“I want to acknowledge and thank the players, RLPA, clubs and all partners for their support as we worked through this historic agreement.”

The Knights celebrate an NRLW premiership.Credit:Getty

The game will provide support for primary carers and parents of infants up to 24 months under the new arrangement.

RLPA CEO Clint Newton said the in-principle agreement on key financial terms recognised the dedication that players have made to the NRLW competition.

“We recognise the incredible contribution players make in playing the fastest and toughest sport in the world,” Newton said.

“Agreeing to these financial terms will now give NRLW players financial certainty and security ahead of signing contracts for the 2023 NRLW season and beyond. Although this is not a final agreement and several significant terms are yet to be agreed, this is a big step toward securing their first ever CBA.

NRLW salary cap

  • 2023: $900,000
  • 2024: $1,020,000
  • 2025: $1,254,000
  • 2026: $1,386,000
  • 2027: $1,518,000

    NRLW minimum salary

    • 2023: $30,000
    • 2024: $34,000
    • 2025: $41,800
    • 2026: $46,200
    • 2027: $50,600

      “This is great progress for current and future players in agreeing to key financial terms and will lay the strong foundations which will allow our game to attract and retain the best talent in Australia and abroad. There is still much more work to do as we continue to negotiate a joint-CBA for NRLW and NRL players which captures all their terms and conditions.

      “The RLPA Board and our team look forward to continuing our work with Andrew and clubs as we continue to negotiate a historic first-ever joint-CBA.”

      Clubs will have a top 24 squad list with funding for investment in four development players for the women’s premiership. The NRLW salary cap rises from $350,000 in 2022 to $900,000 in 2023, and will reach $1,518,000 by 2027.

      All players will also have access to wellbeing and education support and access to injury hardship and other player support funds.

      The NRLW season will have a total period of 20 weeks in 2023 (nine-round regular season, semi-finals, grand final, seven weeks of pre-season and two weeks of leave), growing to 23 weeks by 2025.

      Further expansion of the NRLW competition has been planned for in the strategy and investment.

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