The National Rugby League (NRL) has welcomed Telstra as the official naming rights partner of the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership (NRLW) for the next three years.
The agreement will see Telstra align the naming rights properties of both the men's and women's elite competitions until 2022, and further extend their twenty-year association with the NRL.
NRL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Abdo was delighted to have Telstra enhance their connection and passion with the women's game.
"Telstra have been one of the NRL's greatest supporters for two-decades and have a genuine passion for growth, innovation and excellence - everything the Telstra Women's Premiership stands for,'' he said.
"In an incomparable year, Telstra have been with us to break down barriers, create greater opportunities and grow women's rugby league from top to bottom. They are wonderful partners."
"It's been a challenging year but there was never any doubt about the importance of women's rugby league to our fans. The competition can only grow off the back of the investment and support from Telstra."
Mr Abdo said the 2020 NRL Telstra Women's Premiership shaped as the most anticipated in the competition's history.
"We have some wonderful athletes and this year's competition is eagerly anticipated by everyone."
Telstra's Chief Marketing Officer Jeremy Nicholas said, "The sponsorship is a natural extension of our existing NRL partnership and a wonderful opportunity to deepen our connection to this great game."
"Having the chance to back the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership aligns perfectly with our company values and strongly held beliefs in equality and inclusion across all of society.
"Telstra are a long-time partner of rugby league in Australia, and the growth of NRLW gives fans more action to watch, and importantly, it's a beacon for young women to participate in sport for health, fitness and friendship, and also to believe in a professional sporting career too."
"We're so excited to stream matches as the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership to fans for the first time this year using Telstra created technology and Australia's best mobile network."
In a first for the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership, it was also confirmed that all NRLW matches will be broadcast live and free on Channel Nine's main channel. The fixtures will be played as triple-headers alongside a men's finals match on Saturday the 3rd, 10th and 17th of October and will be simulcast on Fox League, NRL Official App and Telstra Live Pass, and SKY in New Zealand.
The Brisbane Broncos, Sydney Roosters, St George Illawarra Dragons and New Zealand Warriors will play each other once with the top two ranked sides at the completion of Round 3 of the premiership to progress to the Grand Final on October 25, 2020.
The full 2020 NRL Telstra Women's Premiership draw will be released on Sunday 27th September, following the completion of Round 20 on the NRL Telstra Premiership.
NRLW - Week 1
Game 1: Saturday, 3 October 11.30am EST
Game 2: Saturday, 3 October 3.00pm EST
NRLW - Week 2
Game 3: Saturday, 10 October 12.30pm EDT
Game 4: Saturday, 10 October 4.00pm EDT
NRLW - Week 3
Game 5: Saturday, 17 October 12:30pm EDT
Game 6: Saturday, 17 October 4.00pm EDT
