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he NRL has announced the Ampol Women’s State of Origin will take place at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Friday 25 June.

Sunshine Coast councillor, Peter Cox, said the Sunshine Coast Council is excited to partner with the NRL and Tourism Events Queensland again in 2021 to host the event for the second time in two years.

“The Sunshine Coast was thrilled to host the first Women’s State of Origin match played in Queensland last year and after the Maroons’ thrilling win in that match, we’re confident of another sell-out crowd,” Cox said.

“We anticipate that this event will be a drawcard for footy supporters from around Queensland and interstate, which would provide a significant boost for the local economy, from the airport to accommodation, and flow on hospitality and attraction visitation…

“We also want the Sunshine Coast to be the epicentre of elite women’s sport and it’s terrific that we’ll be able to showcase the Women’s State of Origin clash on the Friday night and our incredibly successful Sunshine Coast Lightning netball team who play the Magpies at home the following day,” he said.

NRL CEO, Andrew Abdo, said the Sunshine Coast deserved to host the event following the success of 2020.

“Women’s Origin is one of the highlights of our calendar and we’re excited to see it return to the Sunshine Coast,” Abdo said.

“Last year’s game was an incredible success, albeit with COVID restrictions.

“We’re looking forward to giving the Sunshine Coast community the opportunity to fill Sunshine Coast Stadium this year.

“Women’s rugby league is the fastest growing part of our game and this year we will create history with two female coaches, that’s a great acknowledgement of the talent in our female ranks,” he said.

The event will take place just hours after the Women in Sport Summit 2021 wraps up at USC Stadium in the Sunshine Coast, delivered by Ministry of Sport in partnership with the Sunshine Coast Council.