Kiwis Antony Doolan is pursued by Souths’ Adam Straub during their trial clash on Saturday. Photo: Geoff O’Neill 160313GOF04
THE Tamworth men’s competition is expanding.
This season will see two Armidale teams join the competition.
Armidale City and Wolfpack are the two teams coming in and with the existing four Tamworth clubs – Services Workies, South United, Kiwis and Tudor Wests – will form a six team competition.
There are still several details about the competition to be ironed out, like what the new competition will be called and when it will start, but to fit in the games it is looking like it will have to start next weekend, Tamworth men’s secretary Mark Rodda said.
The draw too is still to be finalised but Rodda said there would be two matches played in Tamworth and one in Armidale each round.
The inclusion of the two Armidale teams is a step forward in the hope of establishing a northern-based premier league. The decision was also born out of necessity.
“Armidale essentially only had two first grade teams,” Rodda said.
Tamworth club delegates met with Armidale delegates on Saturday to discuss the Armidale teams’ involvement after they made an 11th hour approach.
It was one though the clubs were happy to accept.
“We need them as much as they need us,” Rodda said.
It’s hard work sustaining interest in a four team competition.
“It’s a reality for us that to grow the sport we have to embrace other towns around Tamworth,” Rodda said.
This isn’t the first time it’s been tried.
Back in 2002-04 an Armidale team was involved in the
competition.
They played in two grand finals during that time but after their last appearance interest wained.
Then two years ago, the four Tamworth teams and four Armidale teams played a round robin outside of their regular competitions.
Last season there was some talk of Armidale teams coming into the competition, but that never eventuated.
Rodda said the committee was optimistic it would work better this time.