The NSWRL today announced that Transport for NSW has extended its partnership for the state’s premier men’s competition, The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, at the launch of its 2024 season which will feature 169 teams in 15 competitions across the state – the most in the organisation’s 116-year history.
NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden, NSWRL Chair Paul Conlon, Westpac NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire, Westpac NSW Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder and representatives of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup and the state’s premier women’s Rugby League competition, the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership, all attended the launch at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park.
Trodden welcomed the decision by Transport for NSW to extend their partnership with the NSWRL for another three years and said it was the perfect way to start the season.
“The Knock-On Effect is an important community initiative which promotes road safety and the NSWRL is proud of the work that is being done in this area,” he said.
“Since Transport for NSW first came on board as a partner in 2017, we have now managed to deliver positive messages about road safety to more than 4000 teenagers at 40 regional areas around the state.
“The program is delivered in regional areas by True Blues through clinics and road safety talks. We also had a successful campaign last year involving Westpac NSW Blues players James Tedesco, Josh Addo-Carr and Cameron Murray that encouraged road users to make better choices when behind the wheel.
“The NSWRL has always had a strong connection to community and our partnership with Transport for NSW allows us to continue to deliver important initiatives in this area.”
Trodden said it was shaping up to be another memorable season for the NSWRL.
“There is so much to look forward to for the 2024 season and the fact we have a record number of teams taking part in our Major and Junior Representatives competitions reflects the popularity of Rugby League,” Trodden said.
“We have appointed NRL and Super League premiership-winning coach Michael Maguire as the new coach for the Westpac NSW Blues; while Westpac NSW Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder will have the honour of leading the Sky Blues in a three-game women’s Origin series for the first time.
“We have already seen Westpac extend their involvement with the NSWRL after assuming naming rights for the Westpac NSW Sky Blues, Westpac Tarsha Gale Cup and Westpac Lisa Fiaola Cup in a further investment for the women’s game.
“We run important community programs, including the NSWRL’s ‘Changing Rooms’ spearheaded by True Blue Paul Langmack which focuses on mental fitness for teenagers, the Women in Sport Leadership program, Harmony Nines, which celebrates multiculturalism, and Inclusion Round, which celebrates the diversity of our great game.
“Other highlights for 2024 include the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership starting later in the season to increase professional opportunities for female Rugby League players; Fiji’s Kaiviti Silktails joining the Jersey Flegg Cup to assist the development of young Fijian players; Melbourne Storm and the Warriors fielding more teams in pathways competitions to aid the progression of their players; a Magic Round in May; and our annual Country v City representative fixture.”
The representative calendar will include the Westpac NSW Blues kicking off their State of Origin campaign in Sydney on 5 June, before heading to the iconic MCG in Melbourne and then Brisbane; the Westpac NSW Sky Blues playing an historic three-game Origin series with the first match on May 16 in Brisbane followed by Newcastle and Townsville; and the annual Country v City clash.
The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup will be televised on the NSWRL TV app this season with plans to show three games every week. Overall, more than 250 matches across all NSWRL Major and Junior Representatives competitions will be broadcast on the dedicated NSWRL TV channel in 2024.
The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup will also feature 21 matches on Fox League on FOX SPORTS with more games to be added after Round 21; a Magic Round to be played across two days at the iconic North Sydney Oval in May; while the Grand Final rematch between South Sydney Rabbitohs and North Sydney Bears will be played at North Sydney Oval on Saturday 18 May.
The NSWRL will manage eight Major Competitions and seven Junior Representatives Competitions in 2024.
The NSWRL Major Competitions feature The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership, Jersey Flegg Cup, Leagues Clubs Australia Ron Massey Cup, Sydney Shield, Men’s and Women’s Country Championships, and Denton Engineering Cup.
The NSWRL Junior Representatives Competitions, which started in the opening week of February, feature the UNE SG Ball Cup (Under 19s), Westpac Tarsha Gale Cup (Under 19s), SLE Laurie Daley Cup (Under 18s), UNE Harold Matthews Cup (Under 17s), Westpac Lisa Fiaola Cup (Under 17s) and SLE Andrew Johns Cup (Under 16s).
The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup will kick-off (Thursday 7 March), Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership (Saturday 6 July), Jersey Flegg Cup (Saturday 9 March), Leagues Clubs Australia Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield (Saturday 16 March), Women’s Country Championships (Saturday 24 February), Men’s Country Championships (Saturday 2 March), and Denton Engineering Cup (Saturday 13 April).
The Junior Representatives Competitions including the UNE SG Ball Cup, Westpac Tarsha Gale Cup, SLE Laurie Daley Cup, UNE Harold Matthews Cup, Westpac Lisa Fiaola Cup (metropolitan) and SLE Andrew Johns Cup kicked off on Saturday 3 February while the Westpac Lisa Fiaola Cup (regional) will start on Saturday 24 February.
