By Kirra Livingstone
THE BMD premiership competition is set to shift its 2025 season to run in line with the NRLW, following a backlash from Sunshine Coast rugby league clubs.
The likely start date would be delayed by two months and kick off in late July next year. The inaugural 2024 regional representative BMD premiership season was held from March 2 to May 12.
The aim of the competition was to provide an opportunity to foster female league talent at a higher level than club football. However, it caused significant problems for local teams last year with games being forfeited or teams fielding weakened sides.
Players selected for the BMD competition are ineligible to play for their clubs. The Beerwah Bulldogs lost five of their top players to the premiership forcing the Open Women’s team to forfeit a number of games and also merge with competitor clubs.
Club president, Ref Hammill, said the change of dates was the right move. “Between the five players we lost to the BMD premiership, and another three we lost to other club’s, we couldn’t compare to other clubs,” he said.
“Because of all the players we lost, we had to forfeit two games this season, costing the club $1000 per game. “We then had to merge with the Caloundra Sharks to stay in the competition, so we were lucky in that way.”
The Open Womens competition also finished a month earlier compared to last year. There was only six teams to kick off the 2024 season, compared to the previous season where there was one more team.
The Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League Association was contacted for comment for this story by GC&M News.
kirra@gcnews.com.au