Queensland Rugby League's landmark decision to pay their men and women's State of Origin stars the same amount has been hailed as a gamechanger.
The Maroons will pay up to $15,000 to players who take part in next year's women's Origin clash, the same amount it pays its NRL men per match to represent their state.
The decision will allow the Sunshine state's best female players to commit to the fixture without having to juggle work or other commitments, according to Queensland women's coach Tahnee Norris.
She used the example of Brittany Bailey's withdrawal from this year's campaign to highlight the need for the women's players to be properly compensated for their time and efforts.
The Queensland Maroons will pay up to $15,000 to female players selected for next year's Origin clash, the same amount it pays its NRL men per match. Pictured are the victorious Maroons with the Origin shield in 2021
Bailey withdrew from the Maroons due to work commitments, a situation Norris believes the pay arrangement would have resolved.
'You've got one of the best players in Australia that had to withdraw from an Origin side and in tears having to do that,' Norris said.
'To be able to say to the girls that we will support you, we will renumerate you and we'll help you along your journey so that you can actually play football.
'You can concentrate on playing football and not have to worry about what's going on in the background. You can fully dedicate yourself and your time to the sport.
'For me that's an exciting part of what we can actually bring to the Maroons, we can put the best team on the park and that's what we're after.'
Norris is set to announce an emerging squad of women's players later this month ahead of the first of a series of camps in December.
That squad will be revised to 30 in March, with that group to receive a payment of $4000 to compensate them for time off to train and travel.
It's hoped the landmark decision will put pressure on NSW rugby league bosses to follow suit and pay its women's side (pictured) the same
The 19 players selected for the final Origin camps will then receive a further payment of $7000 before the matchday squad of 18 players receive a $4000 match payment for the June 24 fixture.
For Queensland captain Ali Brigginshaw, who began her career having to foot her own bill to represent her state, the deal is a massive moment in the women's game.
'It's not about the money, we play the game in the same spirit but to be rewarded in that time when you're away
