The Rugby League Federation Ghana (RLFG) has officially launched the Rugby League Diva Series, a landmark women’s competition aimed at increasing female participation, strengthening the player development pathway, and promoting the long-term growth of women’s rugby league across the country.
The launch event brought together players, coaches, administrators, and key stakeholders to unveil an initiative that seeks to inspire and nurture the next generation of female rugby league players while celebrating the pioneers who have contributed to the sport’s development in Ghana.
Speaking at the launch, RLFG President Juliana Storey reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to creating sustainable opportunities for girls and young women through rugby league. She emphasized the importance of developing structured grassroots programmes that will produce future national team players and ensure the continued growth of the women’s game.
Also addressing participants, Paulina Buabeng, Team Manager of the Ghana Women’s Rugby League Team and Secretary of the Greater Accra Rugby League Association, encouraged players to embrace the opportunities presented by the Diva Series. She described the competition as more than a tournament, highlighting its role in building confidence, discipline, teamwork, leadership, and essential rugby league skills among young female athletes.
A major highlight of the launch was the unveiling of the four teams that will compete in the inaugural edition of the Rugby League Diva Series:
Old Guards – the pioneering women and girls who laid the foundation for women’s rugby league in Ghana.
Next Gen – a team comprising recent Senior High School graduates continuing their rugby league journey.
Presbyterian Senior High School, La.
Accra Girls Senior High School.
The official fixture ballot was also conducted during the event, with the opening round of matches scheduled for Saturday, 25 July, at Accra Girls Senior High School.
The Diva Series will adopt an all-play-all format, with matches taking place on the last Saturday of every month. Teams will accumulate points throughout the competition, leading to a championship finale in November, where the inaugural champions will be crowned.
One of the defining features of the competition is its progressive player development structure. The first three months will be played in the touch rugby format, enabling new players to develop fundamental skills, confidence, and game awareness in a safe environment. The fourth month will transition to the hold version of the game before culminating in a full-contact 13-a-side competition in the final month to determine the overall champions.
This phased approach has been carefully designed to provide participants with a structured pathway into contact rugby league while supporting the sustainable development of the women’s game in Ghana.
The launch concluded with an exciting 13-a-side exhibition match, offering players, coaches, and supporters a preview of the quality, intensity, and competitiveness the Diva Series seeks to cultivate as more girls progress through the development pathway.
Although the competition will begin in the Greater Accra Region, RLFG has outlined plans to expand the initiative to the Ashanti and Central Regions, providing more girls with access to organized rugby league competitions.
The planned expansion is expected to have a significant impact in the Ashanti Region, where women’s rugby league continues to grow. The region currently has five Senior High School girls’ rugby league teams, providing a strong foundation for future regional editions of the Diva Series.
The Rugby League Diva Series reflects the Federation’s long-term commitment to developing women’s rugby league in Ghana. By bringing together pioneering players, current students, and emerging talent within a structured competition, RLFG is creating a sustainable pathway that honours the sport’s trailblazers while preparing a new generation of female athletes for future success.
Source: Rugby League Federation