GROUP Three will seek input from clubs and players on how best to incorporate women's rugby league into the competition.
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This will be discussed at a meeting at Wingham Services Club next Monday night starting at 6.30. Before then the group will endeavour to contact as many current league tag players as possible to get their thoughts.
Country Rugby League's women's participation officer Kylie Hilder will also attend.
The women's game is rapidly gaining in popularity throughout the Country Rugby League. Group Three chairman Wayne Bridge said Monday night's meeting will be to gauge interest and support for a women's rugby league competition here.
Group Three was among the first in the CRL to introduce women's league tag. This has been an integral part of the Group Three scene since 2009. Mr Bridge said there are no plans to scrap league tag.
"But I've been asked on numerous occasions this year by players when are we going to start playing rugby league here for women,'' Mr Bridge said.
"So there's certainly interest. The clubs tell us they want league tag. But maybe they aren't asking their players what they want.''
He thinks it's unlikely a women's rugby league competition would be played during the season-proper.
"But we could look at a pre-season competition or one later in the year,'' he said.
"We'd also see if there's support for nine-a-side or 13-a-side.''
A six-week nines competition is run each year by the Hastings League, starting in October. Mr Bridge said representatives from the Hastings League will be asked to attend Monday's meeting.
Earlier this year Kylie Hilder announced plans to start a North Coast women's competition next season. This would take in sides from Groups Two and Three.
Mrs Hilder told the Times this wouldn't be the death knee for league tag.
"Of 100 league tag players I'd say only around 40 would want to play rugby league,'' she said.
"This certainly isn't designed to kill league tag. We want to offer both.''
Meanwhile Mr Bridge said there has been interest in forming a sub committee to run women's rugby league. He said this will be further discussed at next Monday's meeting.
