Women's Rugby League World Cup to be staged alongside men's in 2017
Tuesday 13 September 2016 14:22, UK
Next year's Women's Rugby League World Cup will be staged alongside the men's competition in Australia.
World Cup organisers have described the decision as "a game changer," with plans to play the finals of both competitions as a double-header in Brisbane on December 2.
Andrew Hill, chief executive of the World Cup's organising committee, said in a statement: "It's only fitting these gifted athletes get the opportunity to showcase their skills on a global stage.
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"We see next year's women's rugby league World Cup as a game-changer for the sport.
"Female participation in all forms of rugby league is the fastest-growing category in the game and women's international rugby league has made great strides forward in recent years."
Five teams are confirmed - England, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea - with a sixth to be added following a qualifying series.
The women's event will start on November 16, by which point the men's tournament will have reached the quarter-final stage.
