NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden gives surprise address at a Group 4 meeting

By Geoff Newling

A surprise address from NSW Rugby League chief executive Dave Trodden highlighted Sunday’s Group 4 general committee meeting.

The NSWRL chief executive since 2013 was in Tamworth for Saturday’s Country Championship matches at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School’s John Simpson Oval.

NSWRL held a closed meeting with Group 4, 19 and 21 officials to explain changes of operation and administration.

He said having three different bodies – the about-to-be wound up Country Rugby League, NSWRL and NRL – was “dysfunctional”.

“We are merging so everyone can be under the one umbrella,” Trodden told the Group 4 general committee Sunday morning.

“We won’t have more people on the ground but we will be more efficient.”

“It will not have a great affect on country clubs,” he said.

What it will do is change the administration as such so that Group 4, 19 and 21, which have been operating as Greater Northern Region over the past few years, will revert to its former name – Northern Division.

Northern Division will join with Northern Rivers and North Coast to form a new super zone with the current Greater Northern Regional manager Scott Bone (based in Tamworth) reporting to his new ‘boss’ on the Northern Rivers.

The aim of NSWRL is to create zones based on player numbers and not geography. That size is 15,000 players.

“We want to provide better support for the Groups,” Trodden said.

“They are under challenge with volunteers.

“If there are things we can do for the Groups all they need to do is ask us and we’ll do it if we can.”

Trodden said Groups such as Group 4 can send submissions to the NSWRL for projects they might have. He also said there are plans for NSWRL to help fund clubs travelling more than 150km to games.

He added that clubs need only advise the NSWRL of their travel itineraries and the NSWRL will look at subsidising those bussing costs.

The insights were a welcome addition to the Group 4 meeting which was chaired by board member Craig Power in the absence of chairman Terry Psarakis.

“Definitely wasn’t planned but a much-welcomed opportunity which came about via a quick coffee catch-up with David before our meeting,” Craig Power said.

“Having Dave Trodden here was a great success for us.

“We appreciate his time and input.”

The Group 4 general committee discussed the lack of referees which could see the Group having to play two first grade games on Saturday and two on Sunday.

The under-18 competition was also discussed along with ladies’ league tag and ladies’ tackle competitions.

Group 4 appears likely to play a ladies’ league tag competition mixed in with the regular first, reserve and under-18 competitions season with the possibility of ladies’ tackle (either nines or 11s) at the end of the regular season under the Scully Park lights of a Friday night.

Group 4 club officials were also handed draft draws for their perusal.

“They were given the proposed competition draw for them to look at and come back to us with their approval,” Power added.

That draft draw and any suggestions deemed suitable will then be tabled at the next Group 4 board meeting and then rubber stamped.

At this stage, the new season is timed to start May 1 and 2 with Dungowan hosting North Tamworth, Werris Creek at home to Kootingal, Moree Boars returning to Group 4 at Narrabri and a local derby between Boggabri and Gunnedah at Boggabri’s Jubilee Oval.