The Titans have done it again, as they defended their women’s rugby league title in style, beating the Apia Maroons 22-8 at the Marist grounds on Saturday.

However, their victory coincided with a strong call made by the Titans coach and captain Gabrielle Apelu for the equal treatment of women players.

The women players walked onto the field for their finals without the opening themes or the treatment that was offered to their male playing colleagues.

“There should be equal treatment of players and the teams and they should not be differentiated because it is the women’s final,” Apelu said. “Rugby league is one of the fastest growing sports for women and there are real pathways where our Samoan women can actually have a professional career.

“The national sporting body should not have the mindset that just by letting the women play they are doing the women a favour.

“There should be equal treatment in terms of investment, coaching aid and development. There is basically no real development when it comes to women.”

Apelu believes that Samoa women can do well in the sport of rugby league. She encourages young women to take up the sport and perhaps define a pathway towards a professional career.

The women players are now focusing on the Pacific Games and other international games that Rugby League Samoa (R.L.S.) has for the Samoan women’s team.

“As a player, I know of the commitment put into the game by the young women in Samoa. They train tirelessly, many of them have jobs and they have families and children they have to go home to,” Apelu said. “We need a mindset and real development for the women in rugby league.”

For the win in the final, Apelu said the Titans are a solid unit who train well and stick together even off the field.