PLANS to start women's rugby league in Group Three will be discussed tonight when a sub committee formed to run the competition meets for the first time.
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Committee members are Belinda Andersen (Wauchope/Beechwood), Jonty Hemmingway (Wingham), Jamie Moorehead (Old Bar Pirates), Justan Buttigieg (Forster-Tuncurry), Tanyia Farrawell (Port Macquarie), Bobbie Brenton (South West Rocks), Vicki Thomas (South West Rocks), Renee Rigney (Kendall), Stephanie Swan (Kendall), Michelle Melody (Lower Macleay), Tim Moorehead (Macleay Valley), Ash Moorehead (Macleay Valley) along with North Coast Bulldogs women's coach Glenn Bampton.
Group Three secretary Mal Drury said the committee will be charged with organising a series of 'nines' matches in October/November. It is planned the nines will lead in to a 13-a-side competition next February.
This was outlined at a meeting held last month and attended by Country Rugby League female participation officer and NSW State of Origin representative, Kylie Hilder from Forster. Mrs Hilder is unable to attend tonight's meeting as she has a CRL commitment on the Central Coast. However, she met with the Group Three Junior League in Taree on Monday night.
Mrs Hilder recommended the nines be an introduction to tackle rugby league rather than a competition. Mr Drury expects this will be adopted.
"We have to take baby steps to get this going,'' he said.
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A nines competition has been run in Wauchope by the Hastings League for the past two years. However, it is now planned to conduct matches in other venues.
"It will depend on the number of teams we get and where they're from,'' Mr Drury said.
"I'd like to think we'd get six or seven senior sides - that'd be a good start.''
It has been suggested the 13-a-side competition would involve clubs from Groups Two and Three. However, Mr Drury said he would favour a more localised competition if there are sufficient team numbers.
"The more we can cut down the travel, the better it will be,'' he said.
"But again, it will depend on the team nominations.''