Cardiff Demons have been awarded a place in the Women’s Northern Championship for 2025.
They and London Broncos, who previously competed in the smaller Southern Championship, have both been given a place, which gives them an extended season and more game-time for their international players.
They will form part of a 12-team competition with each side playing each other once, and their local rivals twice, to form a 12-game season. There will then be play-offs, with the Grand Final winners facing off against the team placed bottom side from Super League at the end of the season.
The other sides involved are Featherstone Rovers, who were relegated from Super League in 2024, Hull FC who were promoted from League 1, along with the existing teams, Bradford Bulls, Castleford Tigers, Dewsbury Moor, Hull Kingston Rovers, Oulton Raiders, Salford Red Devils, Sheffield Eagles and Swinton Lions.
RFL Head of Development and General Manager of the BWSL, Thomas Brindle, who is also the head coach of the Welsh women’s side, said: “As Women’s Rugby League continues to grow, we remain committed to working closely with clubs and management groups to provide the best possible experience. This includes aligning our efforts with the broader Women’s and Girls’ strategy.
“Last year marked a significant milestone for us, with record-breaking numbers across all tiers and improved completion rates. The National Pyramid also provided clear pathways for teams to achieve promotion to the Betfred Women’s Super League.
“Building on this progress, we recognised the need for adjustments to better accommodate and support more teams in Tiers 2 and 3 moving into 2025. Without these changes, growth could be hindered, and opportunities limited for several clubs. As a result, we’ve expanded the Northern Championship to 12 teams, which includes Cardiff Demons and London Broncos from the Southern Championship.
“This expansion shows growth again for teams in structured competition across the northern regions, fostering development and creating more opportunities for teams to thrive.”
A full list of fixtures including Grand Final venues for all three competitions will be confirmed in the New Year.
