Country Rugby League chief executive says reports 'seem to be true'

Parramatta Eels legend Mick Cronin has come under fire for refusing to allow his beloved local club to field a women's team.

The former Kangaroo and Eels goal-kicking centre is head coach of the Gerringong Lions in the Group Seven rugby league competition on the NSW south coast.

Reports from rugby league website the81stminute.com reveal that the local team refuses to field a woman's side, with Cronin a firm supporter of the decision.

Parramatta Eels legend Mick Cronin (right, shaking hands with former prime minister Bob Hawke) has come under fire for refusing to allow his beloved local club to field a women's team

'As long as the ground is named after him no girl will ever step foot on it,' one source said speaking about Cronin (pictured)

'As long as the ground is named after him no girl will ever step foot on it,' one source told the website.

The club's home ground is named Michael Cronin Oval after the rugby league great.

Cronin, a premiership winning legend of Parramatta in the 1980s, strongly denied the reports, but seemed to distance himself from the controversy.

Gerringong Lions supporters celebrate during the Country Rugby League South Coast grand final in 2013

Gerringong Lions' home ground is named Michael Cronin Oval after the rugby league great

'I just coach the team, I am not on the committee. There are women on our committee so to say I don't want women playing football is ridiculous,' he told The Sydney Morning Herald.

But Country Rugby League chief executive Terry Quinn confirmed the club refused to include a women's side and said the governing body would be investigating.

'It seems to be true. Group Seven is really big on women's tag and women's football but Gerringong Lions don't want women's teams,' Mr Quinn told SMH.

'It's discriminatory. We'll get onto it, we'll do something about it. Very surprising.'

But comments of support for Cronin have flooded social media, with users saying the rugby league champion promotes female participation in the sport.

'What a load of absolute rubbish!! Michael Cronin is one of the most respectful, humble gentleman you would ever have the pleasure to come across,' one Gerringong local said.

'As a former employee of the NRL and as a former facilitator of growing the game in terms of Women and Girls, Michael has not once cast aspersions on women and their role in the game. Quite the opposite actually.'