Central North launched their season, the zone juniors began the trial process for their representative teams, the Kookaburras U20s continued their preparations for the Country Championships and the Northern Inland 15s and 17s played a Junior Gold Cup double header in Sydney.

Scone’s Tom Smart, St Alberts’ Dan Sweeney and Armidale’s Jake Hoban were meanwhile down in Adelaide with the NSW Country Colts for the Southern States U20s Championships.

They opened their campaign against defending champions Western Australia on Saturday and tackle South Australia today and then Queensland Country on Wednesday.

Down in Sydney the Bushrangers had some good results with the 17s rolling Sydney South Harbour 20-18 before yesterday against Sydney North West being sunk by a penalty on the bell.

In another cliffhanger – their third in as many games – they went down 8-7. The 15s found it tougher going against bigger opposition but were willing and made their Sydney opponents work for their wins.

The junior trials were held in Gunnedah and attracted around 100 young players from all over the zone.

At the same time the zone executive and club executives met to discuss and finalise details for the season.

After a bit of a baptism of fire to his term with the insurance levy furore (the ARU wanted to impose a per player levy) Central North president Tony Byrnes is excited about the season ahead.

“It looks pretty good,” he said.

At yesterday’s meeting nine of the 10 clubs indicated they would be fielding two senior sides this season.

The only ones wavering are Walcha but they’re not far off.

They need probably another five players to have enough for first and second grade.

There also looks like there “will be a few more juniors running around”.

At this stage there will be six teams contesting the U16s competition, and five the U18s.

Pirates and Tamworth are the only two clubs that will field teams in both, but at least seven will have juniors on the field in some capacity, whether as part of a composite side or in one or other of the competitions.

Farrer will also help bolster numbers, and will be associated with Barraba.

The colts draw has been reworked a bit this year.

While it will still run separate to the seniors draw. there has been a concerted effort to, where possible, have the colts playing with the seniors.

“There’s a good feeling in the room about working together for rugby,” Byrnes said.

That is what is needed to foster stronger interest in the game.

“It’s about growing the sport,” he said. 

“There’s so much competition these days, it’s so hard to build a player base.”

The competition is slated to kick-off on April 9 with the Tier 2 grand final on August 23 and Tier 1 grand final on August 29.

Country Eagles president Dave Carter, referees association president Neil Warden and ARU participation manager Garry Walsh also addressed the meeting.