Ex-NRL player and Armidale resident Dean Widders has called on more people to get involved in the sport again after the cancellation of the Group 19 under-19 competition due to a lack of numbers.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Widders, an Indigenous pathways manager at the NRL, believes people who have previously played a part of the sport in the area can help revive it in the region.
Read also:
"It is a wake-up call for us, for myself - someone from the area who went on and played in the NRL," he said.
"It is a wake-up call for me to go and do more, and [it is a wake-up call] for local people up there that loved the game and that have removed themselves from giving back."
Widders has been in contact with a host of ex-players, coaches and administrators in the region in an effort to do something at a local level.
He said there's plenty of people around who could have an impact on rugby league if they put their hands up.
"I know a lot of people up there who have great rugby league knowledge and leadership skills and have been stepping away from passing it on to the next generation," Widders said.
"That support and leadership was what rugby league was all about in the bush and they have lost that somewhere along the line."
He believes there is only a select few putting their hands up to run local competitions and encourage players to remain in the game.
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