Response regarding NRLW pregnancy and parental policy, private health insurance

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The NRL has clarified its position on the NRLW pregnancy and parental policy, and private health insurance.

The NRL has moved to provide clarity in regards to incorrect and misleading statements made on social media concerning the NRLW pregnancy and parental policy, and private health insurance.

The NRL has an absolute focus on ensuring progressive and contemporary support mechanisms and playing conditions for NRLW players who are pregnant or new parents.

The NRL, NRLW Clubs and the RLPA have been working together since October 2022 on a new NRLW Pregnancy and Parental Leave policy that includes the following:

• Providing parents with both paid and unpaid support in caring for their children up to the age of 24 months;
• NRL financial support of paid player parental cover per season;
• NRL financial support for replacement players for pregnancy replacement;
• Pregnant players will have contract security
• Players will be able to move to a safe job

The NRL acknowledged this request, and provided a 10.5% increase to the women's salary cap to accommodate this request.

The NRL and NRLW clubs have also been working to facilitate contract security and multi-year contracts to allow players longer term security.

The NRL has respected the sensitive nature of confidential discussions, however, misleading and false information has been damaging to the process.