GROUP Three Junior Rugby League will revert to playing under 10s to 16s grand finals on the one day in 2021.
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This will be on Saturday September 18, with the girl's league tag deciders on Friday evening September 17.
Due to COVID-19 protocols this year's grand finals were played over three days - league tag on Friday evening at Taree, under 10s to 12s at Port Macquarie on the Saturday and under 13s to 18s on Sunday at Wingham. The under 18 competition came under the junior league umbrella this year when the senior league decided to cancel the season due to concerns with the COVID restrictions.
"Unless COVID rears its head again, we'll go back to playing the grand finals on two days at two venues,'' Group Three JRL president Warren Blissett confirmed.
He said the main reason for adding the third day this year was to adhere with crowd restrictions of 500. There were delays at Wingham on the Sunday as supporters from one grade left the ground and those there to watch the next grade filed in. There were also lengthy queues outside the ground at various times during the day.
"Hopefully that's something we won't have to worry about next year,'' Mr Blissett said.
He was returned as president at the annual meeting held earlier this month.
Other office bearers are: senior vice president: Jared Woodhouse; junior vice president Danny Marchment; secretary Gail McArdle; treasurer Darrin Lewis; registrar Duane Takiari; management committee Ben Welsh, Melissa Gee; representative co-ordinator Jon Jess.
Mr Blissett said despite the late start due to the COVID lockdown and the subsequent restrictions, seasons 2020 was a success, although he is hoping for a return to something more like normal next year.
The 2021 season will start with the mini gala day at Port Macquarie on Saturday April 24.
The possibility of the under 16 grade moving to the senior league was discussed, however, clubs were opposed to the move.
Mr Blissett said the group is awaiting word from NSWRL on whether there'll be changes to age divisions in the future.
"At this stage we haven't heard anything,'' he said.
Group Three senior clubs opted to retain the status quo regarding under 16s at their annual meeting.