CLUBS from Forster-Tuncurry to Coffs Harbour will be involved in the Group Three Junior Rugby League season to start this weekend.
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Girl's league tag in the under 13, 15 and 17 age divisions will start the season tonight. Boy's grades from under sixes to under 18s will kickoff tomorrow. This is the first time under 18s have played under the junior league banner.
Group Three Juniors adopted the 18s when Group Three seniors voted not to play this year.
Group Two teams including Bowraville, Coffs Comets, Kempsey Dragons and Macksville will play in the under 16s and 18s this season by invitation. Macksville will field a side in the under 18s, joining Group Three teams Forster-Tuncurry, Old Bar, Wingham, Port City, Wauchope, Port Macquarie and Macleay Valley.
"Unfortunately Taree City was forced to withdraw,'' Group Three JRL president Warren Blissett of Forster said.
"So Wingham and Old Bar have been the main benefactors there.''
Hayden Essery will return to the Wingham side this season after being involved in the Balmain system for the past two years. Drey Mercy, who is in the Sydney Roosters system, will line up for Old Bar. Up to 10 sides will contest the under 16s.
In all 22 clubs will start the new season. Mr Blissett said there's been a slight increase in registrations from the Group Three clubs.
"But that could be a bit misleading,'' he added.
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"I'll wait and see after a couple of weeks. There are players registered earlier whose parents won't be keen for them to play because of COVID-19.''
The league also has to comply with stringent COVID-19 guidelines.
To give players as many games as possible there will only be a two week semi-final series, starting on Friday September 18 with the league tag and continuing on Saturday September 19. Winners from week one move through to the grand finals the following weekend.
League tag deciders are scheduled for the Jack Neal Oval on Friday night September 25, with the modified grades (under 10s to 12s) at Port Macquarie Regional Stadium on Saturday September 26.
