A big crowd is at Headingley this afternoon for the opening game of the Women’s Rugby League World Cup.
Thousands of school children are among those watching as England start their quest for World Cup glory against Brazil.
It’s a superb achievement given the game is taking place on a Tuesday afternoon, with the organisers doing an excellent job to ensure Headingley provides a great atmosphere for the event.
Claims there is a world record crowd for a women’s match in the northern hemisphere are still yet to be confirmed, but the attendance is set to be a big one.
Credit to the @RLWC2021 organisers for a World Record crowd of over 10,000 for a Women’s International in the Northern Hemisphere. There are over 3000 school children here with many experiencing #RugbyLeague for the first ever time. Wonderful to see. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/7t0SmrvxZC
— The Game Caller 🗣🎙📻 (@TheGameCaller) November 1, 2022
Unreal seeing so many young girls at Headingley for the women’s opener @RLWC2021 🫶🏼
Come on @England_RL and @BrasilRugbyXIII let’s put on a show 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/PQ8KemBOvP
— Jenna Brooks (@JennaBrooks) November 1, 2022
Brazil are one of the stories of this World Cup, becoming the first South American international team to compete in either the tournament.
And prior to the game the passion was well and truly on show as Amanda Welter showed true emotion singing the national anthem.
This is what it means to play for your country in a World Cup 🥹
Brazil's Amanda Welter. @BBCSport @BrasilRugbyXIII | #RLWC2021 #ENGBRA pic.twitter.com/VwJmDY0k2d
— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) November 1, 2022
Unsurprisingly England ran away with the game in the first half, crossing for some superb tries to go into the break 34-0 up.
But like many of the men’s games in this tournament, the result is not the important thing with the fact Brazil are playing a quite remarkable achievement.
This added with the big crowd has seen the Women’s World Cup get off to a memorable start, as England look to repeat the heroics of the Lionesses and bring home a major international tournament.
