Festival of Female Footy

The Tweed will come alive on Saturday 21 June as the inaugural Festival of Female Footy takes over the Seagulls Sporting Complex (Piggabeen), marking an action-packed celebration of women’s rugby league and the return of the NRLW season.

Tweed Seagulls, in collaboration with the Gold Coast Titans, QRL and NSWRL, will host a landmark event showcasing the best of female rugby league – from grassroots juniors to elite players – in the first celebration of its kind on the Coast.

Over 250 female players from Grafton to Logan with Female Match Officials will participate at the same venue connecting Our Community Rugby League through to the NRL.

(Image left to right: Katie McAllister QRL, Ruby Fifita, NSWRL junior rep, QRL junior rep, Jessika Elliston, Tanya Booth NSWRL)

Tweed Seagulls RLFC CEO Brendon Lindsay says it is a ‘reflection of just how far women’s rugby league has come’.

‘It’s a clear validation of the game’s growing popularity and the incredible progress made in such a short time from the hard work of QRL and NSWRL.’ says Brendon.

‘For the club, it reinforces the importance of investing in women’s pathways. For women’s sport more broadly, it sends a strong message – there is genuine interest, strong community support, and a bright future ahead. This event plays a crucial role in connecting our grassroots players with the elite levels of the game such as the BMD Premiership and NRLW. It makes the pathway real and tangible and young girls can see firsthand what’s possible.

‘We have girls from Gold Coast and Northern Rivers NSW playing, from as young as U9’s right through to our BMD and the NRLW, all at the one location.

‘Being the first NRLW game for our club, the support for this event has been fantastic. We have strong backing from sponsors who are committed to supporting our female programs, and the Tweed Heads Seagulls Juniors will be playing a key role on the day, running the canteen and helping with operations.

‘We’re also proud to have the NRL, QRL and NSWRL collaborating to help make this event a success. It’s a true team effort from the grassroots to the top.

Tanya Booth from NSWRL stated ” We would like to thank Tweed Seagulls for including girls from the Northern Rivers as part of a fantastic initiative to kick off the BMD and NRLW seasons. To be able to host an event that incorporates grassroots right through to the elite is no easy task and to have 20 teams from our area from Under 13s to Under 17s able to play as Curtain Raisers to the BMD and NRLW Trials is an experience these girls will not soon forget and something that the clubs and girls are really looking forward to!

‘Chappo, Jess from the Titans / Seagulls have been present consistently as Female Rugby League booms in the Northern Rivers and for the girls who look up to these ladies to be able to share the field with them is very special. Thank you for the opportunity and promoting female participation and pathways opportunities in our area’

‘The Festival of Female Footy is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the local female talent we have across our Northern Rivers and Gold Coast regions.

‘Both regions have experienced significant growth in the female game over the past few years and days like this give us a positive platform to promote the hard work of not just the players but also the mums, dads, coaching staff and clubs who have grinded away for years to put the girls game on the map.’ QRL Gold Coast Area Manager Katie McAllister says.

Gold Coast Titans NRLW Head Coach Karyn Murphy is excited for the day ahead ‘This is going to be a really special event for rugby league on the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers.

‘To have this many female games being played in one place – from juniors through to the NRLW – is something we’ve never seen before. For us, the match against the Cowboys is a crucial part of our pre-season as we build towards our season opener on July 5.’

‘There’s still plenty of competition for spots, so I know our squad will be out to impress.’

After a successful Round 1 victory against the Mackay Cutters 20-14, the new look BMD side in 2025 proudly sponsored by HIWAY will come face-to-face with the Gold Coast Titans other affiliate club the Ipswich Jets at 1:00pm followed by the NRWL trial at 3:00pm.

Community Rugby League Games will kick off from 8.30am. Tickets are $10 for adults, free for children under 16 and available at the gate. Paid Gate Entry begins from 11:30am.