Group 4 ladies’ tackle competition given the green light at AGM

By Group 4 Media’s Geoff Newling

A ladies’ tackle competition in some shape or form as well as two new board members will grace Group 4 Rugby League for the 2025 season.

They were the major outcomes of Group 4’s annual general meeting on Sunday, where Lad Jones was returned as chairman.

“It was a very constructive AGM,” Jones told Group 4 Media.

“A lot of positive talk.”

He said the addition of two current players – North Tamworth Bears’ James Cooper and the Boggabri Kangaroos’ Bailey Lennox – to the board was another of the positives.

They join Jones, Narrabri’s John Rumsby and Mark Lyon, Tamworth’s Ron Binge and Werris Creek’s Lisa Dellar on the seven-member Group 4 board, while secretary Donna Follington and treasurer Matt Old complete the new committee.

“We have formed a sub-committee for the ladies tackle,” Jones added.

“Lisa and Cody (Tickle, the NSW Northern Region league and club support co-ordinator) are on that.

“There’s a lot of interest in that after the two gala days (ladies’ tackle days at Scully Park and Boggabri).

“They are looking at the best way to introduce it. We won’t rush into it. Don’t want a failure.

“Whether it be more gala days or a shortened season, we don’t know.

“They will discuss it and work it out. They have some different ideas to work on.”

Jones said the fact that the Group 4 Junior League is starting under-15 and under-17 girls’ tackle comps in 2025 was a great boost for a pathway into senior ladies tackle as well.

Tickle said the sub-committee will meet next week to “brainstorm all the ideas”.

“We will try to find the most suitable way to move forward,” Tickle, who was also Werris Creek’s co-coach in 2024, advised.

“We will have a good idea of what the positives and challenges are and work on a new competition.”

Jones said all nine clubs – Moree, Kootingal, North Tamworth, Narrabri, Boggabri, Dungowan, Werris Creek and Wee Waa – had nominated three or four teams for the 2025 season.

There will again be first and reserve grade, under-18s and ladies league tag competitions.

Most clubs have nominated four teams, but Boggabri, Narrabri and Moree do not yet have an under-18s side, though they are all hopeful of fielding juniors.

“It should make for a good competition,” Jones said.

“We are also having the Footy Feast again.

“Last year it was at Gunnedah. This year it will be at Scully Park in the opening round of the comp. However, it will be just for lower grades. First grade will played later on, on a date to be decided.

“We are also having a Northern Region Tri-Series again. Group 19 and 21 will play Group 4 at Scully Park in June in men, women and under-18.”