Rugby league has a 35 per cent female audience share, compared to 29 per cent for the Premier League and 25 per cent for Ashes cricket.
Liz Matkin, head of sponsorship at retailer The Co-operative Group, sponsor of UK domestic club rugby league competition the Co-operative Championships, said: “We’re proud to get behind a sport which brings so much to the community – whatever gender or age.
“Being good for everyone is the heart of the Co-operative’s core business as a community retailer. We look forward to another exciting 2010 Co-operative Championship season.”
The Co-operative Championships says viewing figures for its matches on Sky Sports increased were up 31 per cent in 2009.
