The Rugby League Federation Ghana (RLFG) has officially launched the Rugby League Diva Series, a new women’s competition aimed at increasing female participation, strengthening the player development pathway, and creating regular competitive opportunities for girls and women across the country.
The launch brought together players, coaches, administrators and stakeholders to mark another milestone in the Federation’s commitment to growing the women’s game.
Addressing attendees, RLFG President Juliana Storey reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to providing sustainable opportunities for girls and young women through rugby league. She emphasised the importance of creating structured pathways that encourage participation at the grassroots while preparing players for higher levels of competition, including the national team.
Also speaking at the event, Paulina Buabeng, Team Manager of the Ghana Women’s Rugby League Team and Vice Chairperson of the Greater Accra Rugby League Association, described the Diva Series as more than a competition. She said the initiative would provide young women with opportunities to develop confidence, leadership, discipline and teamwork while progressing their rugby league careers.
A key highlight of the launch was the unveiling of the four teams that will contest the inaugural edition of the competition: Old Guards, Next Gen, Presbyterian Senior High School, La, and Accra Girls Senior High School. The official fixture ballot was also conducted, confirming that the opening round of matches will take place on Saturday, 25 July, at Accra Girls Senior High School.
The Diva Series has been designed as a long-term player development programme. The competition will be played on the last Saturday of every month, with teams earning points throughout the season before the overall champions are crowned in November.
To ensure players develop safely and progressively, the competition will begin with Touch Rugby League during the first three months before transitioning to Hold Rugby League in the fourth month and culminating in a full-contact 13-a-side competition in the final month. The phased format is intended to build players’ confidence, technical ability and understanding of the game while creating a clear pathway into contact rugby league.
The day’s activities concluded with an exciting 13-a-side exhibition match, giving spectators a glimpse of the standard and excitement the initiative aims to produce as more women enter the sport.
While the inaugural edition will be staged in the Greater Accra Region, RLFG has announced plans to expand the Diva Series into the Ashanti and Central Regions as part of its wider strategy to establish sustainable women’s rugby league competitions nationwide.
The launch of the Rugby League Diva Series marks another important step in the Federation’s vision of creating an inclusive and sustainable future for women’s rugby league in Ghana. By bringing together pioneers of the game, current student-athletes and emerging talent within one structured competition, RLFG is building a pathway that will inspire and develop future generations of female Rugby League players.
