This year's Group 19 competition has seen a massive reduction in numbers and now the sport's governing body has stepped in.
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Six clubs folded this year and one age group - under 19s - was cancelled altogether. Walcha Rugby League, Uralla Tigers, Bundarra Bears, Bingara Bullets, Warialda Wombats and Tingha Tigers withdrew from the 2021 men's and league tag season while Guyra was the only club with enough numbers to field a team in the under 19s.
In an effort to get the clubs back up and running NSW Rugby League will be facilitating a community competition. The competition will feature men's, under 18s and league tag 11-a-side matches. In an email to clubs, NSWRL said they will "aim to get everyone back playing football and set up a viable competition for all clubs that will carry through into the coming seasons."
"We look to start this competition the week after the Group 19 Grand Final, thus allowing players who may have left your clubs to possibly come back and the same with the players who may have gone across to Rugby [Union]," they said.
The competition is due to start one week after the Group 19 grand final on September 11-12 and will run for six weeks.
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Tingha Tigers president James Sheather welcomed the news.
"I think it is a great initiative," he said.
"I just think it is going to help bring back some community spirit.
"Get our support back, get our players back on the field.
"Tingha Tigers is a really important part of rugby league in Group 19.
"We've had five NRL players from a town of 800 and we can't even keep our teams on the paddock.
"They [NSWRL] are doing something and it positive for the communities too, the small communities especially where not a lot of social activities happen."
There will be registration fees for players. $80 for players 19 years and above, $40 for 17-18 years olds and $20 for 16-year-olds. With NSWRL running the competition, referees will be organised by NRL referee development officer Ryan Schmiedel.
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