Rugby League Federation Ghana Kicks Off 'Diva Series' to Boost Women's Participation

The Rugby League Federation Ghana (RLFG) has taken a significant step towards developing women's rugby in the country by officially unveiling the Diva Series, a new national competition designed to increase female participation and create sustained competitive pathways for girls and women across Ghana.

The launch event, held at the University of Ghana Rugby pitch, brought together players, coaches, administrators and key stakeholders to celebrate what organisers say marks a crucial milestone in growing the sport among women. The initiative reflects broader efforts within Ghanaian sports to strengthen women's participation in traditionally male-dominated disciplines.

How the Diva Series Works

The competition has been structured as a long-term player development programme, with matches scheduled for the last Saturday of every month throughout the season. Teams will accumulate points across the year, culminating in the crowning of overall champions in November.

The inaugural season features four teams: Old Guards, Next Gen, Presbyterian Senior High School, La, and Accra Girls Senior High School. The opening round of fixtures takes place on Saturday, July 25, at Accra Girls Senior High School, with Next Gen facing Old Guards and Accra Girls playing against Presbyterian Senior High School, La.

A key innovation in the Diva Series is its phased approach to player safety and skill development. For the first three months, teams will compete in 'Touch Rugby League', a non-contact format that emphasises ball-handling and tactical understanding. From the fourth month onwards, the competition transitions to 'Hold Rugby League', the full-contact version of the game. This graduated approach allows players to build confidence, technique and fitness before encountering the physical demands of contact rugby.

Why It Matters for Ghana

The launch of the Diva Series represents a strategic investment in women's sports development at a time when female participation in rugby league across West Africa remains relatively low. RLFG President Madam Juliana Storey has already signalled ambitions to expand the competition into the Ashanti and Central regions, suggesting that the federation sees this as the foundation for a nationwide women's rugby league ecosystem.

According to Madam Paulina Buabeng, Vice Chairperson of the Greater Accra Rugby League Association, the series goes beyond competitive sport. The initiative aims to equip young women with leadership skills, discipline, teamwork and confidence that extend beyond the rugby pitch. For many participants, particularly those from secondary schools involved in the inaugural season, the Diva Series offers structured athletic development opportunities that may have been previously unavailable.

The inclusion of both prestigious secondary schools and established club sides suggests an effort to blend elite-level competition with grassroots player development. This model could serve as a template for sustainability, ensuring that the competition draws from multiple talent pools and maintains competitive depth.

What's Next

The excitement generated by a 13-a-side exhibition match at the launch provided early evidence of the standard the RLFG aims to achieve. As the Diva Series progresses through 2024 and beyond, the federation's success will likely depend on securing consistent funding, developing coaching capacity, and maintaining player interest through competitive fixtures.

With plans to expand into other regions and the potential for the competition to grow beyond four teams, the Diva Series could establish rugby league as a meaningful pathway for female athletes in Ghana and contribute to the broader objective of gender inclusivity in Ghanaian sports.