Girls Playing Rugby

1897 - The Challenge Cup is established and proves a success from the start. Batley became the first winners, beating Saint Helens 10–3.
1898 - Professionalism is introduced in the Northern Union. The professionalism is strictly part-time, with players obliged to have other "proper" jobs.
1900 - Rugby Union features at the 1900 Olympics. It finishes in the 1924 Olympics.
1901 - The experiment in Rugby League with the punt-out ends after only four years. In future, play will be re-started with a scrum after the ball goes out of play.