The Narrabri Eagles and the Moree Suns will compete as a joint venture in the 2021 AFL North West season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The decision comes after Narrabri didn't field a team in the shortened 2020 men's competition while Moree struggled for numbers at times throughout the year.
Narrabri president Tom Carberry and Moree president Ash Jones both thought the move was the right one for their clubs.
"We tried to do it [a joint venture] last year but, with COVID, pulled out. Joining Moree this year, I think it's a step forward for the club in the right direction," Carberry said.
"The main goal is to get our boys on the field.
"With the shared homes games in Narrabri, hopefully it'll spark a bit of interest, show we're still trying to have a go and boost our numbers."
READ ALSO:
Jones said: "We're all very keen for it. The club's excited for it. It's going to make both clubs stronger and give us an opportunity to stand up in the season coming."
The club will split the homes games up and the move will also give Narrabri's female players an avenue to play alongside Moree in the women's competition.
Alongside about 10 men, Carberry said six or so women had been doing pre-season with the Eagles.
"We're definitely encouraging the girls coming down to have a run with the Sun girls," Carberry said.
"A lot of them have come down from hosting the nines competition - that's encouraging to see."
Jones was more than happy to have more female players come on board.
"Hopefully, we might even see a Narrabri women's side in the future. That'd be good for them if that happened," Jones said.
There is set to be six teams in both the men's and women's AFL North West competitions this year.
Along with the Narrabri-Moree joint venture in the men's competition, Tamworth Kangaroos, Tamworth Swans, Gunnedah Bulldogs, Inverell Saints and New England Nomads have nominated teams.
Meanwhile, the women's competition will see the Kangaroos and Nomads rejoin the competition after missing 2020.
They will join the Bulldogs, Suns, Swans, and Saints.
AFL North West president Sonia Martin there was "positive vibe" around the league heading into the new season.
"It's really exciting. With the men's and women's competitions, we've really equalised that now," she said.
"It's just great to start moving from so many COVID restrictions and we're looking forward to a full season after we had the interrupted start last year."
There will be four teams in the under 14s competition with Inverell, New England, Tamworth and Gunnedah fielding teams.
Meanwhile, Inverell, Tamworth and Glen Innes have entered teams in the under 17s competition.
In regard to the 17s, the AFL North West committee is investigating avenues to provide more development and games for the under 17s teams. The league is also looking getting some sort of competition for youth girls up and running.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark northerndailyleader.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News