Two new teams join burgeoning districts league

Kaitaia Falcons and Horahora Broncos have been welcomed into the fold of the 13-strong Whangarei City and Districts Rugby League Competition, which kicks off next Saturday.

Northland has seen a growing interest in league with the development of the Northern Swords zone team during the past two years, and as the code regenerates around the country in general.

Last year 11 teams contested the premiership, and this year's competition - featuring defending premiers Hikurangi Stags, Kaikohe Lions, Otaua Valley Warriors, Bay Slayers, Moerewa Tigers, Hokianga Pioneers, City Knights, Marist Brothers, Portland Panthers, Takahiwai Warriors, Wairoa Bulls, Hora Hora and Kaitaia - will be the largest it has been in years.

In its 90th year, the Hora Hora Rugby and Sports Club decided to add another arm to the organisation, and entered their first ever premier rugby league team into the local competition, while Kaitaia has reformed and re-enters the competition after an absence of many years.

While the growth of the premier competition is hugely positive, it presented the WCDRL board with several challenges ahead of the 2012 season, chairwoman Juanita Hool said.

The board has spent hours agonising over the 2012 draw, trying to keep travel time and expenses down for teams.

"March 3 is an early start but to give teams a decent competition we've had to start early. Teams have to travel there's no getting around that. We couldn't have the north and south conferences like we did last year with 13 teams. Basically, teams play round one in their district, and over the 22 weeks of competition, will play 10 or 11 home games," she said.

Sustaining clubs' player base and the need for more referees were other factors closely considered when organising the expanded competition, Hool added.

During the break, the board has encouraged clubs in each district (Whangarei, Mid-North and Far North) to take responsibility for their own junior competitions. To take part in the senior competition, clubs are required to have a sevens and nines age grade team playing in the junior competition. So far, all 13 clubs have said they will have junior grades by the time the competition kicks off on April 29.

"That's where the future club seniors will come from so why wouldn't they have an interest," Hool said.

In her second year at the helm, Hool's focus is firmly on making the board's partnership with the Northern Zone work.

Being on the same page as the New Zealand Rugby League run organisation would create momentum and support for league in Northland, and yield the best possible team for the Swords' representative season.

Highlights last year for Hool included getting out and about to watch all clubs play without having a personal investment in any of the games, along with clearing the board's outstanding debts.

"My low-light was that clubs didn't take the opportunity that was presented to them to support the Swords to the degree that we had the best possible team on the field ... Big ups to those players that did front. We're not giving up on that one just yet," Hool said.

For the second year, the senior Northern Swords team failed to win a game last year in the national zonal competition.

But with an increase of local player numbers, it is hoped that the standard of league will improve in Northland, which will translate to a stronger Swords team, Hool said.