The zone is seeking 'suitably qualified persons' for the senior and under-19 men's and senior women's sides for this year's NSW Country Championships.

The championships will be held at Tamworth's Scully Park on June 12 and 13.

Applications close at 5pm on March 19 and can be forward to zone secretary David Rodgers via mail: Central Northern Rugby Union Inc PO Pox 4059 Nemingha 2340 or email: centralnorthrugby@hotmail.com

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Zone junior vice-president and rep program coordinator Daniel Kahl said once the coaches are appointed they will put the call out for players interested in being considered.

"The beauty of the Country Championships being in June is they (coaches) can have a look at players in the first few rounds," he said.

As far as the senior men's side is concerned he said several of the 2019 squad (the championships weren't held last season due to COVID) have indicated their interest in being involved again.

"Hopefully we get a few more guys that haven't been involved for a few years," Kahl said.

"If we put anything close to our best squad out there we'll be hard to beat."

The Kookaburras will again be contesting the Richardson Shield and will be looking to go one better after making the final two years ago.

Things are also moving ahead with the season proper with the clubs meeting at Barraba late last month.

Kahl said the feeling was "really positive".

"Everyone's going to be fielding both senior men's grades, and at least six, hopefully seven, will be fielding women's," he said.

There was also a lot of talk around the colts and how they "can continue to make that better".

No draw has been finalised for the colts competition yet with the zone still hoping a few more clubs will be able to get a side together.

The season will kick-off on April 10, headlined by a grand final rematch between Pirates and Walcha at Walcha. In other games Gunnedah host Inverell, Narrabri are at home to Quirindi and Barraba and Moree match-up at Barraba.

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