Women’s rugby league has surged in popularity in recent years and the local competition is no different.
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The start of 2017 saw the inaugural North West women’s nines competition commence before the end of the year saw the first Group 19 nines.
The annual competition is back again this year for three weeks from this Saturday in Inverell.
Seven teams have entered in the opens tournament, including local teams from Uralla, Narwan and Guyra, and four in the under 17s.
Country Rugby League recently announced major changes for their representative pathways in tackle football.
From next year, women across country NSW will have the chance to play at a representative level for their Group, through to the Country Championships tournament.
Group 19 president Terry Carson said their side will be chosen from the three-week nines tournament to contest the Greater Northern championships next season.
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“It is pretty exciting to be able to have the women’s tackle competition,” he said.
“Our league tag has been very successful this year with 14 teams across the Group and success at representative level. Having tackle competitions within our region is just the next step forward.
“Country Rugby League have introduced full contact into their representative structures and Group 19 is hoping to have women features among these teams.
“There has been good interest so far in the nines, players with tackle football experience have signed up as well as a few who have never tried it.
“Hopefully in coming years we can see some of our girls from Group 19 reach the highest level of the sport and we will see them on the big stage.”
Guyra’s league tag Britt Youman has put her hand up to try the sport for the first time and is eager to see the sport grow.
“Being in the country we are always one step behind, and for women like me who love their footy this opportunity to play is amazing,” she said.
“We have never had an opportunity like this.
“We’re all extremely keen. Guyra has never had a team in the tackle comp so it could be interesting.
“Hopefully we have lots of support on the weekend.”
Each team will play two games each every Saturday over the three rounds at Kamiloroi Oval.
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