Last Night’s Historic Women’s State Of Origin Match Was A Record-Breaking Success
Fans were out in force.
A record-breaking crowd made the trip to North Sydney Oval on Friday night to watch players from NSW and Queensland go head-to-head in the first ever women’s State of Origin match.
6824 fans braved chilly conditions to witness history in the making, with the NRL reporting it was the biggest ever crowd to attend a women’s rugby league match. A further 689,931 people tuned in on television.
The support of the crowd may have given the home team the edge they needed, with NSW ultimately proving too strong for the visitors, winning 16-10.
Winners!#Origin #OurWay pic.twitter.com/v6TyUzaSp3
— Women’s Rugby League (@WRugbyLeague) June 22, 2018
The response to the match was overwhelmingly positive, with many fans taking to social media to share their thoughts on the occasion.
That was the best advertisement for Rugby League you may ever see. Crunching tackles, courageous runs, beautiful handling, free flowing football and a gripping finish!!! #origin #OurWay @LadiesWhoLeague and @WRugbyLeague you must be so proud!!!!!
— michael delaney (@michael_delaney) June 22, 2018
Took my 7 year old daughter to #Origin last night and she was buzzing. Wants to be a footy player now! Thanks @mary__kaye @LadiesWhoLeague for doing so much promote women’s footy. #wrugbyleague
— Andrew xiii (@AndrewP_75) June 23, 2018
What a joy to hop on twitter and see it legitimately FILLED with positive tweets about the women’s SOO tonight ?? What a time to be alive #origin
— Nat Sinclair (@nat_sinclair93) June 22, 2018
How good is it that we finally get to see women’s bodies in action on tele these days? Women of all shapes, sizes and proportions; running, jumping, tackling. Not draped over furniture and posed for our pleasure, but actually doing stuff. #Origin #OurWay
— Jessica Currie? (@Jess_M_Currie) June 22, 2018
that was a bloody great game. women’s state of origin deserved its prime time slot. #origin #OurWay
— 13th to 1st ?✨ (@kyliemaslen) June 22, 2018
See those young girls in the crowd?
They’re the future.
See those young boys watching the women play?
So are they.
Changing the way we ALL see the game.#WRugbyLeague #OurWay #Origin— Sam Squiers (@SamSquiers) June 22, 2018
One of the most emotional moments came at the end of the night, when partners Karina Brown and Vanessa Foliaki, who played on opposite sides, shared a kiss on the ground after the match.
Love always wins ❤️?#Origin #OurWay pic.twitter.com/yqQEq0dXPH
— Women’s Rugby League (@WRugbyLeague) June 22, 2018
Fans have also latched on to the story of NSW captain Maddie Studdon, who revealed post-game that she lost her job this week because of her commitment to rugby. Like many female players, Studdon has been forced to juggle training and playing with work, but was recently given an ultimatum by her boss who told her she was taking too much time off.
“We’re playing for this jersey and it just shows we’re committed to this and whatever is thrown at us, we’re ready to take it,” Studdon told reporters. “And if it’s to lose a job, it’s to lose a job.”
Amazing to think that there are blokes in the AFL right now haggling over how many millions in their next contract, while Maddie Studdon was willing to lose her livelihood to pursue her sporting dream (with little promise of financial reward). Respect.
— Josh Elliott (@JoshElliott_29) June 22, 2018
The fact women still have to do this is bullshit.
“Studdon held a position as a shift-worker at the wharves in Port Botany and was given an ultimatum by her employer last week to choose her job or rugby league.”
I hope Rugby League pay her what she deserves. #auspol https://t.co/9If9HxsZQB
— Teela Reid (@teelareid) June 23, 2018