By Publicity Officer
The 2023 season has been a busy and successful one for the Narrabri and District Junior Rugby League club.
We have more than 215 registered junior league players this year, with two under-6 teams, three under-8 teams, two under-10 teams, and three under-12 teams in the mini mod league, and under-13s, 14s and 15s competing in the North West Group 4 junior competition.
A restructure by NSWRL saw the under-6 teams play league tag and under-8 players complete the tackle ready program before they could play full contact.
There was another big move that saw the under-10 age group move to become non-competitive.
The Junior Blues, led this year by new president Drew Eather held our annual carnival during the winter school break with teams across the north west district attending.
Narrabri was successful in winning the under-8 and under-10 divisions.
It was a huge task for our committee, and a successful and fun day was had by all.
In July, we also participated in the Gunnedah carnival with our under-6 and under-12 teams both winning.
The 2023 Smart Kenny Cup, clash between Narrabri and Gunnedah wrapped up July at Cooma Oval, with Junior Blues holding the trophy.
We were thrilled to have Bob Smart in attendance.
The NDJRL’s 2023 grand final and presentation day will be held this Saturday, September 2, commencing with the return of the Junior Blues procession onto Collins Park.
Mini games will take place for the under-6 to under-10s teams, and the grand final between minor premiers Eels and Bulldogs in the under-12s will see them play off for the United Truckies shield.
In the internationals, Narrabri was successful in securing the North West Group 4 grand final, also to be held at Collins park the following week on Saturday, September 9.
Narrabri’s under-13s side, coached by Tim Rickard and Adam Rooney, finished the regular season as minor premiers and were successful in their major semi-final.
They will now take to Collins Park in the grand final and they await this weekend’s games to learn who their opponent will be.
The Lee Browning-coached under-14s side finished the season placed third, and then beat Dungowan in extra time last week in the minor semi-final.
They now take on Gunnedah in the preliminary clash this Saturday for a spot in the decider against Collegians.
The Tom Mason-coached Narrabri under-15s side, wrapped their season up in second place on the ladder, and then narrowly lost against Farrer last week in the major semi-final.
They too play off against Gunnedah, vying for a spot in the grand final at home.
The Junior Blues will play host to South Sydney for their Northwest tour at the end of September and the call is out for host families.
The bus arrives in Narrabri on the 26th to depart the 28th.
Narrabri Junior Blues’ under-12s head off to South Sydney at the end of September for the traditional clash against Mascot.
They will be playing for the Cotton Cup on a white picket-fenced field surrounded by skyscrapers and 747s flying above, vastly different to the fields of Cooma Oval.
We hope everyone enjoys the last few weeks of season 2023 and we look forward to 2024.
To order photos from this page click here
