Jillaroos coach Brad Donald has labelled the equal pay across both genders at the Nines World Cup just reward for the game’s revolutionary female players.
Each player in every team at this weekend’s tournament at Bankwest Stadium will be paid $2000 according to an NRL.com report, regardless of whether they are male or female.
It marks a significant rise in the women’s game, considering just six years ago the 2013 World Cup was the first time players did not have to pay for their own travel to the tournament.
“It’s great reward for the work they put in,” Donald told AAP.
“The girls are so grateful for everything. And they also understand they stand on the shoulders of those ladies who spent $1000 or $2000 in their careers just to be part of representative footy.
“You think of the likes of Nat Dwyer, Tahnee Norris, Tarsha Gale, Karyn Murphy. It cost those girls a lot of money. These girls are so great but very deserving.”
Donald’s group of players have been at the forefront of change in the women’s game.
In just the past two years they have seen the creation of the NRLW and are desperate to see the competition grow in terms of size and length as soon as next year.
It also comes just five years after they were only paid for the first time when representing Australia.
“We’ve had lots and lots of things (change). We stay in the same hotels and we get treated the same,” Donald said.
“The Jillaroos get the luxury of having single rooms and in five-star hotels, the same as the men’s.
“Just little things along the way we have been able to manage and get the same equality. It’s been a milestone every year. It’s great.”
While the women’s players insist money is not their driving influence, they also saw the equal-pay as a recognition of the female sport’s development.
“I’m happy how the game has grown to be paid the same as the men,” superstar centre Jess Sergis said.
“Just seeing the 2019 premiership how it has just grown and the talent coming through from last year. The footy is better this year.
“I’m just so proud and happy with the recognition we are getting. To have that this year I can’t wait for what the next two or three years will bring.”