BMD Premiership teams confirmed as 2025 season aligns with NRLW

Queensland Rugby League has today confirmed the entry of the Northern Pride and Ipswich Jets in a revamped 2025 BMD Premiership.

The inclusion of the Pride and Jets as part of the QRL’s expansion strategy follows the successful debut seasons of the Western Clydesdales and Sunshine Coast Falcons this year.

The Clydesdales secured a semi-final berth in their maiden season, while the Falcons narrowly missed the play-offs in an encouraging campaign that netted five wins.

As the Pride and Jets begin building their rosters ahead of the 2025 season, it can be confirmed that the 12-team competition will be aligned to the NRLW for the first time.

QRL general manager of performance and pathways Glenn Ottaway said the decision to run BMD Premiership fixtures in conjunction with the NRLW would have multiple benefits.

“This approach allows us to support the elite game with players transitioning between competitions when not selected in NRLW,” Ottaway said.

“It also provides greater opportunities for pathway players to participate in the BMD Premiership, including those who graduate from the early season Harvey Norman Under 19s competition.

“We’re confident that the new structure will create greater depth to support future expansion at the national level.”

The QRL’s long-term expansion plans for the BMD Premiership include the 2026 entry of the Townsville Blackhawks and Redcliffe Dolphins.

But for now the focus will be on the Jets and Pride as they prepare to make their mark in Queensland’s premier women’s statewide competition.

Pride chief executive officer Garreth Smith said today’s announcement was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.

“We are immensely proud to be part of the 2025 BMD Premiership, a competition that celebrates the best in Queensland women’s rugby league,” Smith said.

“This is a testament to our commitment to the game, to developing pathways for female athletes, and to providing opportunities for our girls to excel at the state level.

“We are proud to represent Far Northern Queensland and look forward to showcasing the talent and spirit of our team.”

Jets chief executive officer Richard Hughes is excited about the prospect of seeing players progress from grassroots to the elite level.

“The formation of our BMD senior women's team and entry into the competition represents a significant milestone for the Ipswich Jets and the broader community,” Hughes said.

“It builds on the work we already have done in the girls’ junior space, and with this, we can now provide girls playing rugby league in the Ipswich region a pathway from grassroots rugby league, right through to the NRLW.

“There are very exciting times ahead.”

BMD chief executive officer Scott Power said BMD’s passion for diversity and inclusion was the driving force behind its partnership with QRL.

“The 2025 BMD Premiership marks our fourth year as a partner, and as a leading integrated engineering, construction and urban development business in a male dominated industry we are proud to play a part in seeing women’s sport go from strength to strength,” Power said.

“We see fantastic alignment of our shared vision and objective to improve participation and pathways for women in our respective industries.

“It’s an exciting time for women in sport and fantastic to see the ongoing community support as people get behind this great game of rugby league and continue building a positive culture for growing the female rugby league game.”