The Sydney Roosters have welcomed today’s announcement by the NRL that the NRLW fixture between the Roosters and St George Illawarra Dragons will now be the first ever sporting fixture to be played at the newly-built Allianz Stadium on Friday, September 2.
In what will be an historic double-header, the women’s Round 3 NRLW match will precede the Round 25 NRL fixture between the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs.
NRLW 2021 Grand Final Highlights: Roosters vs Dragons
“This is a momentous occasion in the history of our Club and for the Game to open the new Allianz Stadium with our NRLW team hosting the St George Illawarra Dragons,” said Sydney Roosters CEO Joe Kelly.
“We are a proud Foundation Club in both the women’s and men’s competitions, and for the Sydney Roosters NRLW team to be the first to ever play at our new home ground is a significant moment for the Sydney Roosters family.
“We would like to thank Venues NSW and our broadcast partners for their support in embracing this initiative. Women’s Rugby League has gone from strength to strength since the inception of the NRLW in 2018, and we are confident that showcasing this match will only add further momentum to the growth and development of the women’s game,” he added.
Kerrie Mather, CEO Venues NSW, said: “Allianz Stadium's opening is perfectly timed for the rise of women's sport in Australia and we're delighted that its first official sporting match will be the NRLW fixture featuring the Sydney Roosters and St George Illawarra Dragons.
This is such an exciting moment for everyone involved at the Roosters, and the honour of being the first team to ever play at the Roosters new home at Allianz Stadium isn’t one we take lightly
Isabelle Kelly NRLW Captain
“We congratulate and thank the NRL, Fox Sports, Channel 9 and both clubs for helping us make history when we open the new Allianz Stadium.”
The NRLW match between the Roosters and Dragons will kick off at 5.40pm with the Roosters v Rabbitohs NRL fixture scheduled to kick off at 7.55pm.
“This is such an exciting moment for everyone involved at the Roosters, and the honour of being the first team to ever play at the Roosters new home at Allianz Stadium isn’t one we take lightly,” said Roosters NRLW captain Isabelle Kelly.
“The Roosters have been invested in the women’s program for a number of years now and we really appreciate the Club’s efforts to make this happen.
“I know I speak on behalf of the entire NRLW squad when I say thank you and that we can’t wait to run out onto our new home on the night,” she added.
