The Toowoomba Rugby League has accepted an application from the Border Rugby League to enter a team into the Toowoomba Rugby League Under 18 competition in 2016.
The new Under 18 BRL Bushrangers team will draw on players from the Stanthorpe, Tenterfield, Wallangarra, Killarney, Texas, Millmerran and Inglewood areas to join forces to compete.
Over recent years, only a small number of players continued to play after their junior rugby league time had finished by travelling to Warwick or Toowoomba to compete with other teams.
This initiative will enable players to train and play in their local areas and hopefully support their local senior teams when their Under 18 time concludes.
Planning for this application has been in the pipeline for many years and became an urgent consideration after the BRL had more than 33 Under 18 players wishing to play matches in 2015, with no competition to play in.
According to TRL Chairman Brian Gilroy, the Board of Directors were happy to provide an opportunity for boys from their southern neighbours to play football in their own towns.
“We have a few details to work out, but I am sure that the Bushrangers will be welcomed by our clubs and will enhance our Under 18 competition,” Gilroy said.
The QRL Operations Manager Michael Jensen and NRL Game Development Officer Jim Stevens will be planning numerous information and registration evenings in the various townships to support this initiative in coming weeks.
Applications for coach, manager, sport trainer and LeagueSafe officer will open in coming days.
Interim Chairman of the Border Rugby League Norm Crisp was pleased players would be able to take this opportunity.
“I would like thank the TRL Board for agreeing to support our application, which will provide young players in the Southern Border Area the opportunity to play the game they love in a competitive environment against players of their own age.”
