5 days Ago By Renee Valentine
Yasmin Clydsdale is thrilled yet not surprised Newcastle has been awarded the women's State of Origin series finale next year. Login or signup to continue reading The city made history this year by being the first venue to sell out a women's Origin match before a record 25,782 spectators turned out in torrential rain at McDonald Jones Stadium for Game II on June 6. It stated a strong case for future representative fixtures in Newcastle, which is the only regional venue to earn a 2025 Origin match .
The series-opener will again form part of NRL Magic Round at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Thursday, May 1. Game II is set for Sydney's Allianz Stadium on May 15 and Newcastle will host the potential series decider on May 29. "It's what the town deserves," Clydsdale told the Newcastle Herald .
"We definitely showed how much Novocastrians love the NRLW to have a sell-out and then to have nearly everyone show up in torrential rain was pretty impressive. I feel like it's a reward for the loyal fans that we have." It was "a pretty special" moment to walk out at McDonald Jones Stadium wearing the Sky Blues for the home-grown Knights, NSW and Jillaroos back-rower, and the 30-year-old hopes to do it again next May.
Newcastle was awarded an Origin in the women's historic first three-match series this year after strong support for the Knights' NRLW side last year. McDonald Jones Stadium venue manager Dean Mantle expected the full house sign would go up again and hoped to get closer to the venue's 30,000 capacity with better weather conditions. "It wasn't the full capacity here on the night which is certainly disappointing but to see that level of support still turn out in the pouring rain and set a record was a pretty amazing feat," Mantle said.
"From the night of the last one, [Newcastle] has well and truly been part of the discussion and a prominent part of that." A City of Newcastle spokesperson said the event would inject millions of dollars into the local economy. "Hosting major events is a key economic and tourism driver for our region, helping to create local jobs and support local industries," the spokesperson said.
"City of Newcastle has a proud history of supporting women in sport, such as the premiership-winning Newcastle Knights NRLW side, the Newcastle Jets A-League women's team, the women's competition at Surfest, as well as helping to bring the Matildas to McDonald Jones Stadium on several occasions." The National Rugby League released the full men's and women's State of Origin draws for next year on Monday morning. The men's series begins where it left off in 2024 with the Maroons hosting Game I at Suncorp Stadium on May 28 before a showdown at Perth's Optus Stadium on June 18 then a third and final clash at Sydney's Accor Stadium on July 9.
The growth in interest in the women's game is exemplified in the NRL's decision to take Origin to the 45,500-seat Allianz Stadium for the first time. Sydney last hosted a women's Origin match at CommBank Stadium in 2023, when a crowd of 12,972 turned up, but record attendances in Brisbane, Townsville and Newcastle in 2024 encouraged the NRL to take the next step. Meanwhile, Kylie Hilder announced on Monday she would not reapply for the job of NSW women's Origin coach.
Renee Valentine is a sports journalist with more than 20 years of experience in Newcastle. She is passionate about increasing the visibility of sportswomen in the media. Got a sports story, email Renee at r.
[email protected] Renee Valentine is a sports journalist with more than 20 years of experience in Newcastle.
She is passionate about increasing the visibility of sportswomen in the media. Got a sports story, email Renee at r.valentine@newcastleherald.
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