Narrabri Blues lock in new coach and begin preparations for the 2026 campaign

While eight Group 4 Rugby League clubs battle it out on the park in the 2025 campaign, a sleeping giant is busy in the background preparing for 2026 as the Narrabri Blues eagerly await their return to the playing field.

It was a heartbreaking decision for the club to withdraw from this year’s competition back in February, but it was a necessary one.

President Cameron Staines said he and his committee were “absolutely gutted” to have been forced into making the call, but player numbers left them with no choice.

Numbers and quality have dwindled since the Blues were crowned minor premiers in 2021, with many players changing clubs or codes, hanging up the boots, or moving towns.

A former Blues first grade player and a member of the 2021 season minor premiership-winning side has signed on as the club’s first grade coach for 2026 and is eager to guide Narrabri back to where they belong.

That is Hayden Bell, who initially had rejoined the Blues as their head trainer this year but was unable to commit to coaching in 2025 due to a busy schedule that includes work and family life, and also serving as the vice-president of the town’s junior rugby league club.

The Blues stalwart is now keen to assemble a first grade team for the 2026 campaign and is also working with club officials to ensure that they field strong reserve grade, under-18s and ladies’ league tag teams as well next year.

Bell told The Courier he is excited to be part of something special at the Blues for at least the next two seasons.

“I’ve signed on as head coach for the 2026 and 2027 seasons,” Bell said.

“Back in January when they didn’t have a coach or any forward direction, that’s where I stepped in and said I’d help train while they find a coach.

“They approached me to coach this year but I couldn’t do it due to work commitments and life in general.

“After the decision was made to sit out this year and re-evaluate, readjust and have a refresh, I was approached and agreed to sign on for the next two seasons.

“I’d thought about it and I really want to be part of something I think can be potentially something special.

“Signing on nice and early gives me eight to 10 months of preparation to build a team again.

“It’s also about rebuilding the club and getting the right people in around me and the club to push it in the right trajectory for years to come.”

Bell said he was confident that the Blues would be battling for a place in the grand final again in 2027.

“In previous years, they’ve gotten in a coach for one year who has ideas of how the team and club should look, and then someone else different is there the next year,” Bell said.

“I thought if I’m going to do it, let’s do it for two years and we can have some continuity.

“If I’m not there for a third season, at least we can start to advertise for a new coach early in 2027 and get them in around the group so that we can have a flow-on effect.

“I think that’s where the club has lacked previously.”

Bell said that with plenty of young talent coming through the Narrabri junior rugby league club as well as some impressive 17 and 18-year-olds at other Group 4 clubs, it is imperative that the Blues are up and running as quickly as possible to give the young people of a footy town a club to aspire to play for once again.

“Our 16s players now are going to be our under-18s in a couple of years,” Bell said.

“I’ve got Brodie Rumsby coming in as an assistant coach, and he will be a familiar face that the juniors know from school and the community, and they will feel more comfortable with him there as part of the club.

“Back in 2021 when we won the minor premiership, a lot of young kids who were down there watching the footy every week will be able to play under-18s soon, so we’re making sure there’s a team for them to play in.”