Westpac has announced a new era in its partnership with NSW Rugby League, aimed at increasing its support for women's rugby.

The agreement includes naming rights for the Westpac NSW Sky Blues and builds on the existing partnership between Westpac and NSW Rugby League. The investment will extend through every level of the sport, from grassroots to elite athletes participating in State of Origin.

Westpac will become the front of jersey sponsor for the NSW Sky Blues for the 2024 State of Origin series, which kicks off in Brisbane on 16 May and features a three-game series for the first time. The bank will also support the Metro and Regional competitions for young female athletes, including the City v Country representative fixture. Westpac has assumed naming rights for the Tarsha Gale Cup (U19) and the Lisa Fiaola Cup (U17), which run competitions in both Sydney and regional NSW.

The partnership was launched at Westpac Open Air Cinema in Sydney. Westpac, the official bank of the NRL, including the NRLW competition, also sponsors the Queensland Rugby League, and the Brisbane Hustlers LGBT+ Rugby Union Team. Through St. George, the Group supported the St. George Illawarra Dragons to establish their NRLW squad, continues to support the Sydney Convicts LGBT+ Rugby Union Team, and is a proud sponsor of Gingercloud’s Modified Rugby Program.

NSW Rugby League has more than 100,000 registered players across NSW from almost 700 clubs. Just over 26,000 of these participants are female, and this number grows substantially every year (+14% YoY). 43,000 participants are based in regional NSW. 15,000 participants are from the Penrith and Parramatta regions alone.

"Through this partnership, we know we can play such an important role in shaping how the game will look for women now, and in the years to come," Westpac Chief Brand & Marketing Officer, Annabel Fribence, said. "Of course, being on the front of the Origin jersey is exciting, but I’m equally as excited that we’ll be out in communities in regional NSW and providing a tangible pathway to allow young women to realise their dream of playing for their state on the biggest stage."

NSW Rugby League CEO, David Trodden, added Women’s Rugby League has been one of the fastest-growth areas of the sport for several seasons.

"This commitment from Westpac will allow that to flourish even further. The investment will benefit both our pathways and elite female players and I am confident it will set the women’s game up for more success for generations to come," he said.

NSWRL Female Pathways Manager and Sky Blues Coach, Kylie Hilder, cited improvement in female players every season.

"This partnership will enable that process to start even sooner from when they enter our pathways programs. I’m excited by the possibilities this will provide, and it will lead to even more female Rugby League players in our game," she added.