Fixtures for the RFL Women’s Rugby League have now been finalised and 27 teams divided into four leagues are preparing for the kick off on Sunday March 11.

The Premier, Division 1 North West and Division 1 Yorkshire and North East leagues will commence from Sunday March 11, whilst Division 1 South will commence later in the year.

Alongside the league structure will be the Women’s Challenge Cup which is open to all sides in the competition with the first round taking place on Sunday April 15. The Women’s Community Shield will act as another opportunity for teams knocked out of the Cup in the early rounds.

“It is a very exciting time for Women’s Rugby League,” said the RFL’s Midlands Regional Manager David Butler.

“There is significant investment into the running of the competition and we are confident that moving to a March to October season will improve playing standards and club environments and lead to an improved competition.

“The clubs taking part should be congratulated for being innovative and leading the way for a move to the summer-based season.”

The new competition can also boast a truly national flavour, with eight of the nine English regions represented, with notable entrants from Peterlee Pumas (North East), Nottingham Outlaws (East Midlands) and Coventry Bears (West Midlands) who will be flying the flag in the full March to October programme.

Yorkshire also sees two new sides join the fold in the shape of Ovenden and Oulton Raiders.

An official launch for the competition will take place on Sunday March 4 where full details about the competition will be announced.

The competition sits within Tier 4 of the RFL’s pyramid structure, with results and fixtures displayed across each of the regional competition websites.

First Round of Fixtures - Sunday March 11

Premier
Featherstone Rovers v Castleford Panthers
Warrington Ladies v Bradford Thunderbirds
Nottingham Outlaws v Coventry Bears

Division 1 North West
Leigh Miners Rangers v Wigan St Patricks
West Craven Warriros v Widnes Vikings Ladies
Copeland Wildcats v Crosfields Ladies
Leigh East v Chorley Panthers

Division 1 Yorkshire & North East
Ovenden Ladies v Oulton Raiders
Whinmoor v Brighouse
Hunslet Hawks v Stanningley Ladies
Peterlee Pumas v Guiseley