Participation Levels Rise 20% For Women’s Rugby As MJ Bale Signs Long Term Deal With Rugby Australia

Participation levels for women’s rugby in Australia have increased by 20% off the back of last years Super W series, as Rugby Australia secures a long-term deal with MJ Bale.

The inaugural Buildcorp Super W league in 2018 laid the platform for future growth for the league, as all matches will be shown live on Kayo Sports in 2019, while FOX Sports Australia will play back every doubleheader.

Fans will also be able to watch every clash online via RUGBY.com.au and the Rugby Xplorer App with season two of Buildcorp Super W set to reach more Australians than ever before.

There will also be an additional Finals match in 2019 with a Grand Final Playoff between the second and third-placed teams on the table, who will play-off for a berth in the decider against the first-placed side.

Rugby Australia’s Chief Executive, Raelene Castle said: “The hype of last year’s competition has brought forward a new era for Women’s Rugby in Australia, and we’ve seen a 20% increase in female XVs participation since Super W last year.

Queensland and RugbyWA both doubled their playing pool ahead of squad selection while Melbourne Rebels enjoyed a 150% rise and ultimately selected 14 new players in this year’s team.

“The competition gives our players top level game time, week-in, week-out which will hold them in the best possible stead for an action-packed international calendar in 2019,” Castle said.

M.J. Bale has just signed a four-year deal with Rugby Australia, which will see the Australian owned company kit out the Qantas Wallabies, Buildcorp Wallaroos, Junior Wallabies, Qantas Australian Men’s and Women’s Sevens as well as Australian Referees with all of their off-field uniforms.

M.J. Bale will also work with Qantas Wallabies captain Michael Hooper to design a special customised blazer for this year’s campaign.

M.J. Bale Chief Executive & Founder, Matt Jensen said: “We are extremely proud to be dressing the Qantas Wallabies, as well as the Australian men’s and women’s representative rugby teams across all formats of the game.

“We’re passionate about the Wallabies and passionate about Australian Rugby.

“We feel this is the perfect time to get behind the Wallabies and do what we can, at least in a tailoring sense, to contribute to the team’s success on the field,” Jensen said.