It was a momentous day for women’s rugby league as the NRL and Rugby League Players Association have announced that they’ve reached an in principle agreement on the financial terms for the NRLW collective bargaining agreement.

This agreement was the result of months of hard work and negotiations, which involved players, clubs, and other stakeholders.

Both parties wanted to ensure that the agreement would provide women’s rugby league with a bright future and fair and reasonable terms.

The NRLW salary cap will rise from $350,000 in 2022 to $900,000 in 2023 with annual salary caps over the 5-year cycle set as follows:

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

Additionally, minimum NRLW salaries over the next five years are as follows:

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

One of the key provisions of the agreement was the policies relating to pregnancy and parental arrangements.

The agreement incorporated support for pregnant players and leave provisions, as well as support for primary carers and parents of infants up to 24 months.

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

The NRLW season will have a total period of 20 weeks in 2023, which includes a nine-round regular season, semi-finals, Grand Final, seven weeks of pre-season, and two weeks of leave.

By 2025, the season will grow to 23 weeks, with further expansion planned for in the strategy and investment.

The news comes as the men’s game is facing strikes with their CBA remaining unsigned.