For the third year running, South32 Illawarra Metallurgical Coal (IMC) is sponsoring Illawarra Women’s Rugby League, helping to grow the game locally, encouraging more women of all ages to participate and supporting local elite level players to achieve their ambitions of higher representative honours.
This year, South32 IMC is also sponsoring the Illawarra Junior Rugby League tackle and tag competitions, including the boys’ and girls’ under-6 to under-16s leagues, which in 2022 are expected to attract 2,500 registered participants playing for 207 teams. South32 IMC is also sponsoring the Illawarra Steelers’ junior representative teams competing in the Harold Mathews, SG Ball and Tarsha Gale Cups.
South32 IMC Vice President Operations Peter Baker said “South32 is very proud to support the 2022 Illawarra Women’s and Junior Rugby League competitions. We love to support our local communities and one of the things I’m excited about is watching some of rugby league’s stars of the future emerge from the Illawarra’s junior rugby league competitions. We wish all participants a safe and successful season ahead.”
For the first time, this year’s South32 Illawarra Open Women’s and U18’s Rugby League teams will compete in a combined Illawarra and Macarthur competition. The season is scheduled to kick off on April 24. Round 1 Fixtures
Illawarra Rugby League Board of Management Chairman, Gerry Murphy said “Illawarra Rugby League is excited to extend our commercial partnership with South32 IMC to include our junior representative teams and competitions.
“We are proud to be able to provide both the opportunity for all children to participate, no matter their age or ability, and develop our young talent with the aim to transition as many as possible through the grades and ultimately into the NRL. This could not be achieved without the support of partners such as South32 IMC.”