Newcastle RL launches Women's Monarch Blues Tag competition

With the backing of NSW True Blue Nathan Hindmarsh and representatives of the region’s eight district clubs, the Newcastle Rugby League has launched the rebranding of the Ladies League Tag competition to Monarch Blues Tag, aligning the Hunter-based competition with all other NSWRL non-contact competitions.

Following on from the Newcastle First Grade’s affiliation with the NSWRL in 2018, the Monarch Blues Tag move coincides with NSWRL expanding its offering of non-contact competitions throughout the Sydney metropolitan area in 2019.

"Women's participation is the fastest-growing sector of our game, both in the Sydney Metropolitan area and throughout the regional areas of NSW – new competitions and formats such as Monarch Blues Tag help that to happen," said NSWRL General Manager of Football Barrie-Jon Mather.

"We're delighted to see the Newcastle RL aligning their Blues Tag program under the Monarch banner."

Newcastle Rugby League CEO Matt Harris expects the revamped Monarch Blues Tag competition to thrive in the Hunter region.

“The introduction of the Women’s competition has significantly increased participants to our sport on the field and off the field has had a positive impact on the culture of all our district clubs,” Harris said.

 “The rebranding of the competition to Monarch Blues Tag add further benefits to our competitions and to our association with the NSWRL.

 “We are excited to have Monarch as the naming rights sponsor of our Blues Tag competition which will help expand the Monarch brand into the Hunter region."

 In a further development for female participation a Newcastle RL Women's Monarch Blues Tag representative program will be introduced in 2019.

Players will be chosen from the Newcastle RL Monarch Blues Tag competition to play various representative teams from both Sydney metropolitan area and Country NSW throughout the season and at the season's end.