"I've received an email from (Group Three Junior League president) Warren Blisset saying that a number of clubs have expressed an interest in starting an under 18 league tag competition,'' Group Three chairman Wayne Bridge said.

The junior league ran under 12, 14 and 16 competitions this year with the grand finals played at Port Macquarie.

League tag has been part of Group Three's senior competitions since 2009. Group Three was one of the pioneers in the Country Rugby League for league tag.

The game was introduced to the junior league last year.

Mr Bridge said it would be up for discussion whether an under 18 competition would be part of the senior or junior league.

"It might be easier to run it as an extension of the junior competition on Friday evenings. That would then free up the players to turn out with senior clubs on Saturday or Sunday,'' Mr Bridge said.

"Adding another grade to the senior football would make for a long day. We're already starting at 11.30 to fit in the four grades (league tag, under 18.5, reserve grade and first grade)."

While the group will look to introduce tackle rugby league for women over the off-season, Mr Bridge reiterated that league tag is under no threat in either the long term or short term.

"There's still only a certain percentage of players who want to play tackle,'' he said.

"League tag is a very important component of our competition. We're not going to change that.''

The Group Three/Hastings League women's nines will start next month.

Eleven sides from Kempsey to Forster have nominated for the series of matches.

Earlier this year North Coast Bulldogs, coached by Glen Bampton, made the final of the inaugural Country Rugby League women's championship.

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