The Tenterfield Tigers have made the decision to move back to the Border Rugby League competition for season 2013 after a series of meetings last week between players the executive and various stakeholders.
As a foundation team of the BRL it will be great to see the Tigers back in the fold after an absence of two years. It now gives the BRL an eight team competition this season.
With the season opening round robin only ten days away it is race against time to get all of the appropriate paperwork in place to allow the Tigers to take their place.
As Chairman of the BRL I am personally delighted to welcome out cross border cousins back where many believe they belong.
Border Rugby League welcomes back Tigers
Following weeks of internal debate the Tenterfield Tigers Rugby League Club last weekend voted to rejoin the Border Rugby League after a two year stint in the NSW Country Rugby League Group 19 competition.
BRL chairman Casey O’Connor said that negotiations with the cross border club had been ongoing since he took the reins late in 2011.
“There was lot of travel involved for players, supporters and officials and it was a very big commitment for the club to field multiple teams in the competition. “I wanted members of the Tigers club to know that the BRL was open to discussion if they ever changed their mind about Group 19.”
O’Connor said that at the end of last season he had again extended an invitation to the club to consider a return to the BRL.
“We have had numerous discussions over past months and I was delighted when the Tigers contacted me last week.”
There is a mountain of paperwork to be completed in a short space of time to get the Tigers to the BRL Round Robin in just over a week; however O’Connor said the Central Division board and the QRL had been extremely supportive and were helping to make the transition as smooth as possible for everyone concerned.
“We are waiting to receive a clearance for the Tigers from NSW Country Rugby League and Group 19 and then it will be all systems go.”
Tigers President and Coach Damien Petrie said he felt a return to the BRL was the best move for the club.
“There were some people who expressed a desire to remain in Group 19, however I believe in the long term this decision will be in everyone’s best interest,” Petrie said.
News of the Tigers decision has been well received by the existing BRL clubs.
The inclusion of the Tenterfield Tigers means eight “A” grade sides will compete this season with no byes in the 2013 draw.
O’Connor said he is hopeful that 2014 will see an Under 18 or Reserve Grade competition included in the BRL draw.
“I know everyone has been crying out for another game each week but it has been impossible with the number of available players.
“It is not ideal that we have no pathway for those kids coming out of Under 16’s but hopefully with the inclusion of Goondiwindi and Tenterfield we will be able to work on something for next season. “That is our next goal,” the chairman said.
He went on to say, “Football plays and important role in country communities and what this shows is that the concept of amateur rugby league at the grass roots level is alive and well. “That’s a win win situation for everyone.”
