Group 19 president Mick Lewis said there was only one side interested in a B grade competition and you could have a competition with only one side in it.

“Tingha changed their position on wanting a second division competition. They wish to stay in the first division. Warialda did come forward, but they wish to enter the competition at the first division level. Uralla are looking like they might not form this year,” Lewis said.

He said Goondiwindi had made the decision to return to the Toowoomba league next season, and Guyra is holding meetings in an attempt to reform. 

“With Goondiwindi disappearing off the north-western edge of the competition, Armidale decided that they were happy to be back into Group 19, with the current boundaries,” Lewis said.

The Narwan Eels are also considering a return, and Lewis said there should be less travelling than last year. He said if all things come to fruition, next season’s competition should be more condensed and have an eastern bias.

“You’re going to have two Moree sides, Warialda, Ashford, Inverell, Tingha, and Armidale and Glen Innes, they’re definite. 

“Then you’re going to have the Narwan Eels and Guyra as possibilities to add to that. So it’s somewhere between eight and 10 sides in the competition for next year.”

Lewis said it was a good sign for Group 19, and that the numbers were looking very strong for the coming season.