The third season of the Harvey Norman Tarsha Gale Cup is finally upon us with the official draw for the 2019 season confirmed.
Some of the most exciting young female talent will feature in five Round One fixtures to be played on Saturday, 9 February.
The Cronulla Sutherland Sharks enjoyed an undefeated 2018 campaign to claim the minor premiership before recording a 36-22 victory over the Newcastle Knights in the Grand Final.
They will start their title defence against the Illawarra Steelers – a side who also enjoyed strong success last year with a second-placed finish at season's end.
The Knights and Wests Tigers will look to improve on their third and fourth finish respectively in 2018, with the Tigers facing the St George Dragons and the Knights taking on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Keep an eye on Sereana Naitokatoka throughout the season after she finished 2018 in brilliant form – recording two tries and five goals in their Preliminary Final loss to the Sharks.
Played in an eleven-a-side format and alongside existing junior representative competitions (SG Ball Cup and Harold Matthews Cup), the Tarsha Gale Cup continues to provide a pathway for emerging female stars. Ten teams will take part in the 2019 season, opposed to eleven from last year with the absence of the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
The thirteen rounds in the season are set to shine more light on the rapid growth of women's Rugby League as young stars transition into the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership throughout the year.
Please note that fixture details are subject to change throughout the season.
