The Harvey Norman NSW Women's Origin team will be presented with a new challenge to defend the Shield in 2020 with the Holden Women's State of Origin match to be played at the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
It will be the first time Queensland has hosted the highly-anticipated match under the official Holden State of Origin banner. The previous interstate women’s clash was played as the ‘Women’s Interstate Challenge’ and NSW has won the last four matches, including the first two Origin games.
NRL Head of Elite Football, Graham Annesley said after two highly-successful years at North Sydney Oval, the time was right for the fixture to head to Queensland.
“This is a major event for the Sunshine Coast. It will bring visitors from across the country and inject significant money into the local economy,’’ he said.
“The Sunshine Coast is a growing area with the perfect stadium for Women’s State of Origin which is why we chose the region.”
“North Sydney Oval was at capacity for Women’s State of Origin this year and we are confident the Sunshine Coast community will support the match just as strongly.”
NRL General Manager of Elite Women’s Programs, Tiffany Slater, said Origin was a key driver in the continued rise of women’s rugby league.
“The rapid growth of the women’s game has been tremendous, a lot of which can be attributed to this fixture, as well of course from the Holden Women’s Premiership and the Jillaroos,” Ms Slater said.
“There will be countless girls and boys from Queensland and interstate getting up close and personal to many of their idols during this week and on game-night, creating rugby league memories that will undoubtedly last a lifetime.”
“I know for certain the likes of Ali Brigginshaw, Annette Brander and Talisha Harden will be ecstatic to play in front of their home fans again, and I’m just as certain Kezie Apps and the Blues will be doing everything they can to keep the shield in NSW.”
Sunshine Coast Mayor, Mark Jamieson said securing the Women’s State of Origin event for the Sunshine Coast is further evidence of the region’s growing reputation in the NRL, on the back of securing NRL fixture matches with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Cronulla Sharks to be played at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
“This is a high-quality event that provides a great opportunity to promote our stunning Sunshine Coast as a destination, and our excellent sporting facilities to a national audience.
“We can’t wait to welcome footy fans to the Sunshine Coast in June 2020 and encourage them to plan ahead to secure accommodation and flights between Sydney and the Sunshine Coast.
Tickets will be available at www.nrl.com/tickets early in 2020, with kids under 15 years of age remaining free.
The 2020 Holden Women's State of Origin is proudly supported by naming sponsor, Holden, together with the Queensland Government, via its tourism and major events arm, Tourism and Events Queensland, and the Sunshine Coast Council.
It will be broadcast live nationally across the Nine Network, Fox Sports and NRL Live Pass, and well as Sky NZ in New Zealand.
