The NRLW competition will expanded by two clubs to become a 12-team league in 2025, and today the One NZ Warriors confirmed they will be included in that expansion.
Alongside the Brisbane Broncos, St George Illawarra Dragons, and the Sydney Roosters, the Warriors wahine were one of the four foundations clubs when the NRLW first launched back in 2018 - but complications brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic forced the club to withdraw after three seasons.
“It’s obviously extremely exciting, not just for our club but for women’s rugby league in New Zealand,” CEO Cameron George said in a statement published on the club's website.
“Our fans have eagerly awaited the return of their side to the NRLW stage. We saw that excitement pre-Covid and now, after plenty of work, we’re finally ready to go again.”
Since returning home to their Auckland base of operations post-pandemic, the Warriors have been preparing for their NRLW return. And now, with the green light given to the club, steps to appoint a head coach and sign players can be taken.
Former Kiwi Ferns captain Nadene Conlon has been working as the club's NRLW Academy Manager for the past year to re-establish a pathways program for their return to the premier women's rugby league competition.
“There has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes to make this possible,” Conlon said.
“Now we can push on and set about bringing a team together for our re-entry into the NRLW next year.
“We’re delighted it has come to fruition. The number of women playing the game in New Zealand has been growing so much and now the dream of representing the Warriors is becoming a reality.”
With the recent success of the One NZ Warriors spearheading rugby league's rise in popularity, the long-awaited confirmation of the club's NRLW comeback helps to complete George's mission to reinstate and build up their rugby league pathways that were disrupted by the pandemic.
The Canterbury Bulldogs were also included in Thursday's expansion announcement.
Next year's 12-team league will include: Brisbane Broncos, Canberra Raiders, Canterbury Bulldogs, Cronulla Sharks, Gold Coast Titans, Newcastle Knights, North Queensland Cowboys, One NZ Warriors, Parramatta Eels, St George Illawarra Dragons, Sydney Roosters, and the Wests Tigers.