St George Illawarra CEO Peter Doust has confirmed the Dragons' interest in securing a license for the 2018 women's rugby league competition that was announced on Wednesday.
“St George Illawarra and particularly Illawarra Rugby League have been instrumental in the development of interest in women’s rugby league over many years now, and we have certainly expressed our interest already to the NRL about having a St George Illawarra Dragons team as part of the inaugural Women’s Premiership," Doust said.
"Given the support and structure that we already have within our region for women’s rugby league, we believe it is logical and appropriate that the Dragons are included.”
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg on Wednesday announced a six-team competition featuring 40 centrally-contracted Jillaroos stars and match payments for all other players as the centre point of a 2018 women's program.
There will also be a stand-alone State of Origin and Pacific and trans-Tasman Tests.
With most Telstra Premiership clubs having indicated an interest in entering teams in the new women's competition - which will be played as double-headers in the lead up to and during the NRL finals series - Greenberg said a tender process would commence in January.
"It is going to create some tension, that is for sure," Greenberg said of the competition for licences.
"I would imagine that almost every one of our NRL clubs would be interested in how they obtain a franchise in year one. That is a good thing as it will add some competition.
"We met with all of our NRL CEOs yesterday and there was huge support for this program and a real appetite for it."
