Number of juniors in league on the rise

Five rounds into the Jennian Homes Junior Rugby League season there is plenty of good feedback.

FIVE ROUNDS into the Jennian Homes Junior Rugby League season there is plenty of good feedback.

Across the board we have had a good increase on playing numbers. One Sunday at Bluegoose we had 38 teams playing with more than 500 kids participating.

Rugby League Northland (RLN) runs grades at Mini Mods 7s, 9s, 11s and International Grades 13s, 15s and 18s with all grades playing on a Sunday.

Mini Mod League is all about fair play and learning the game of league progressively.

All games are played at either the Bluegoose in Whangarei or Lindvart Park in Kaikohe.

International grades see Northland-wide competitions with the 15s and 18s playing their Grand Final at Toll Stadium on August 9 while the 13s will play their Grand Final at Toll Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Northern Swords versus Counties Manukau game on August 31.

We have 10 teams across Northland in the 13s Grade, eight in the 15s and five in the 18s.

Currently leading the 13s are the Portland Panthers and the Northern Wairoa Bulls, while Muriwhenua and Whanau are leading the 15s.

Leading the 18s competition are the Otaika Eagles closely followed by last year's defending champions Marist.

The top 40 players from each grade will attend the RLN-NZRL Performance Camp on June 22 at Kensington Park where New Zealand Rugby League high performance manager Tony Iro and his team will run the boys through a series of fitness tests, NRL workshops and a trial.

The players will be vying for a place in the Northern Swords 15s and 17s squads that will play at the NZRL National Zonal tournament in late September.

It is never too late to join a team, contact RLN today to find out your nearest club on 09-4379640, email rln@nzrl.co.nz or go to www.rln.co.nz.