The Country Rugby League (CRL) Dubbo Ladies and Girls Nines tournament comes to a close on Friday night but there is no denying the impact it has had will leave a mark.
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Tackle rugby league came to the west of the state last month with a six-week competition being played out and it has been nothing but a success.
Chrsytal Thompson, one of the driving forces behind the tournament coming to Dubbo, said it is a sign the tackle format of the game is here to stay for female players.
Thompson felt a women’s rugby league competitions being formed in the next three or four years is a reality, after Nines tournaments were also held at Newcastle and the Illawarra this year.
“It’s only going to expand,” she said.
“Out this way we’ve got one of the largest participation rates, we’ve got more than 100 girls. It didn’t get a lot of promotion this year but we’ve learnt for next year and it will grow and hopefully be one of the larger ones in NSW.”
Healthy crowds have turned out each Friday night at Caltex Park to watch players and sides who have travelled from all over take on the best the three local clubs, CYMS, Macquarie and Westside, have to offer.
The fact the Nines tournament has attracted players from as far as Wellington, Forbes, Baradine, Walgett, Bathurst and Condobolin is proof there is demand for more tackle rugby league, according to Thompson.
“I’ve been really impressed with the teams and players who have travelled,” Thompson said.
“Some have travelled two-and-a-half or three hours so that shows the passion.”
While the format of the game has proven a hit, Thompson doesn’t expect it to take over from League Tag.
League Tag has given women an avenue into rugby league in recent years, with every club fielding a side in Group 11 last season.
But Thompson said the local area was behind the eight ball after introducing League Tag at a later time than other regions and she wants the tackle format to continue building on its early success.
“You could see for Western this year, even thought it was our first time (at a Country Championship), you could tell we were behind the eight ball compared to other regions and we don’t want that to happen again,” she said.
“But starting it is a positive for the junior players.”
In terms of the local tournament, Thompson said it has been “even right across the board”.
The final round of action starts from 6pm on Friday at Caltex Park.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
