Gardner says the Knights have "got our hand up to be the next franchise in" for the national women's competition and hopes that entering a side will coincide with the completion of the rugby league facility.

Works at the Broadmeadow site got underway recently and are expected to be finished by November next year in time for pre-season training ahead of a 2022 campaign.

"We've got our hand up to be the next [NRLW] franchise that comes in," Gardner said on Monday.

"It's been a challenging year [COVID-19] and without the government support in these facilities we wouldn't have been able to do it.

"So we will certainly see that here, if not in [20] 22, certainly in [20] 23."

Gardner praised the state government, represented on Monday by Member of the Legislative Council Taylor Martin, for its $10 million investment in the Knights' centre of excellence which includes women's change rooms.

"When we have a women's team in 22 or 23 they will be based here as well," Gardner said.

"Women are a really big part of the future of rugby league. This facility allows us to have a national women's side in Newcastle.

"Without the government investing the money here to develop these facilities we wouldn't have been able to put our hand up for a women's side in the NRL."

Knights men's coach Adam O'Brien fully endorses the move to have females wearing the region's famed red and blue uniform in the future.

"The whole region is known for producing sporting talent and I've got no doubt that we've got some of the best women's rugby league players in this community," O'Brien said.

"I'd love for them to be playing in our colours in our town rather than having to go somewhere else.

"I think we'd be able to field a really competitive team and I look forward to the day that happens."

The Knights initially expressed interest, but were unable to commit, for the inaugural NRLW two years ago but they have been part of the under-18 Tarsha Gale Cup, featuring back-to-back grand final appearances in 2018 and 2019.

With an eye on future NRLW inclusion, Newcastle held a women's combine at Wests Mayfield in March with around 60 players invited to take part after receiving almost three times as many applications.

However, the coronavirus crisis stalled NRLW expansion this year with the same four sides - Broncos, Roosters, Dragons and Warriors - again participating.

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