Nine’s Wide World of Sports will showcase one of the defining moments in women’s sport with Breakthrough: The Rise of Women’s Rugby League, premiering Wednesday, April 30 at 8.30pm AEST on Channel 9 and 9Now.
The feature-length documentary charts the meteoric rise of women’s rugby league, culminating in the record-breaking 2024 State of Origin series, now recognised as a watershed moment in the sport’s history.
Over two million Australians tuned in to watch the inaugural three-game series, and the documentary tells the story of how it all came to life, both on and off the field.
The documentary airs on April 30.
The film traces the evolution of the women’s game from its grassroots beginnings to mainstream recognition, capturing the people and moments that made it possible. It also features exclusive behind-the-scenes access to preparations for the upcoming 2025 Origin series, including mic’d up training sessions with Queensland and New South Wales squads.
Key figures from across the rugby league world lend their perspective, including ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys AM, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo, Harvey Norman CEO and women’s sports advocate Katie Page, and some of the biggest names in the women’s game, Millie Elliott, Ali Brigginshaw, Ruan Sims, and Allana Ferguson.
Current stars Lauren Brown, Jaime Chapman, Julia Robinson, Corban Baxter and Kennedy Cherrington also feature prominently, alongside commentary from rugby league legends Andrew Johns and Phil Gould AM, offering a comprehensive view of the game’s rapid evolution.
Nine’s Wide World of Sports Head of Creative and Innovation, Alex Rolls said: “The rise of women’s rugby league has been a phenomenon. This is a story that has to be told and we’re thankful to all the people that have played their part to bring this film to life.
“It’s the perfect curtain raiser to the 2025 Women’s State of Origin series and continues Wide World of Sports commitment to documentary story telling.”
Breakthrough: The Rise of Women’s Rugby League premieres on Wednesday, April 30 at 8.30pm AEST on Channel 9 and 9Now and 8.40pm in Adelaide and Perth.