Narrabri Blues gearing up for the 2026 campaign with several major announcements

There is an exciting buzz around town as the Narrabri Blues prepare to head to Tamworth on Sunday for the Group 4 Rugby League annual general meeting, at which president Cameron Staines is expected to nominate four teams.

The Blues met with Group 4 and NSW Rugby League officials last weekend to discuss their proposal to re-enter the competition, with talks said to be positive between the parties.

Club head coach Hayden Bell will run his first pre-season session this Saturday as a keen group of players prepare to hit the ground running for their first training run from 7am.

Bell advised that he will host weekly sessions, which are non-compulsory, and added that any players keen to be a part of the Blues’ comeback season were welcome to attend at Hogan Oval on Saturday morning.

Pre-season training will officially kick off on Tuesday, January 6, with sessions to be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from the start of the new year.

Bell also advised that he and the club are now in talks with several players regarding the 2026 season, with some exciting announcements to be made in the coming weeks.

The club will begin to officially register players from December 1.

Meanwhile, the Blues recently announced the coaches who will lead their under-18s and ladies’ teams next year.

Kaitlyn Armitage will coach the women’s side in 2026, which is expected to play in a new-look Group 4 tackle competition, and Lee Browning will coach the under-18s side.

Both of those coaches bring plenty of success with them following winning 2025 campaigns.

Armitage was set to coach the Bluebirds this year, but joined the Narrabri Rugby Club’s Blue Boars women’s team after the Blues pulled out of the Group 4 season.

The dual code star impressed throughout the year and helped guide the Blue Boars to a third consecutive premiership victory as well as an undefeated minor/major premiership double.

Browning coached the Narrabri and District Junior Rugby League under-16s boys’ team that demolished Dungowan 54-6 in the North West Group 4 Junior Rugby League plate grand final.

The nucleus of the under-18s team next year is expected to be made up of players from that winning side.

Browning will be assisted by his brother, Luke, and Armitage will be assisted by Bluebirds gun Angie Knox, who has been a part of the team for the better part of a decade.

The local town is well and truly getting behind the Blues ahead of their comeback.

Justin Smith and his team at JA Smith Solutions will be hosting a charity auction event at the Tourist Hotel next Thursday night, from which all proceeds will go to Narrabri Rugby League Football Club. Rugby league legend Shane Webcke will be in attendance at that event.