THE St George Illawarra Dragons, which includes Bomaderry’s Talia Atfield, have confirmed an application for a license to compete in the inaugural 2018 Women's Premiership was forwarded to the NRL as required by the end of last week.
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December's announcement regarding the introduction of a women's competition saw the Dragons quickly establish an organisation-wide group, including key internal staff as well as current Jillaroos and Dragons ambassadors Sam Bremner and Kezie Apps, to develop the club's submission.
"The Dragons have been so supportive to women's rugby league as well as to Kezie and me," Bremner said.
"I played my first game of footy in the Illawarra competition and even before there was any talk of an NRL women's competition, the Dragons wanted to help us be the best athletes we could be.
"We really have our fingers crossed that the Dragons are successful with their proposal."
The Dragons have a strong history and association with the development of women's rugby league, dating back to the first game in the Illawarra region in 1991 between the Wollongong Wildcats and Dapto Daredevils.
"St George Illawarra and particularly Illawarra Rugby League have been instrumental in the development of interest in women's rugby league over many years now," Dragons CEO Peter Doust said following the announcement of the competition in December.
"Given the support and structure that we already have within our region for women's rugby league, we believe it is logical and appropriate that the Dragons are included."
The Dragons believe that we meet all of the required criteria – both logically and strategically – to be awarded a licence to compete in the inaugural women's competition.
It is expected that the Australian Rugby League Commission will announce the recipients of the women's competition licenses in late March.
