After negotiations between Rugby League Central Coast, Newcastle Rugby League, Hunter Junior Rugby
League and the NSWRL, the four organisations are excited to announce a change to the under 18 and under 19s competitions across the region from 2024. Next season will see the Central Coast under 19s competition and the Newcastle under 18.5s competitions combine into a single competition across the Central Coast/Hunter region. As part of the change and to assist in having under 19s teams playing at a level to match their capability, and for a draw alignment the Central Coast clubs that play in the Newcastle Rugby League Denton Engineering Cup will be invited to participate in an extended Newcastle Rugby League under 19s competition with Newcastle’s District clubs. Central Coast under 19s competition and the Newcastle under 18.5s competitions will ensure the sustainability of teams in both those competitions and give its players a wider range of opponent’s compared to what I available to them with the competitions in their current forms.
Rugby League Central Coast, Newcastle Rugby League and the NSWRL will discuss the ability of players to move between the competitions and other competition rules over the coming months. Central Coast Rugby League president Gerard Andrews said of the move to the combined competition ‘it
provides the opportunity for current under 17’s and continuing under 19’s players from both regions, to
participate in a competition with similar abilities resulting in both competitive balance and competition sustainability.
Adam Devcich, General Manager of Newcastle Rugby League said ‘Player numbers, and as a result, team
numbers in the under 18s and under 19s highest age group is an issue in all regions, so to combine the
competitions Central Coast under 19s competition and the Newcastle under 18.5s competitions and to give the Central Coast Denton Engineering clubs the opportunity to play in the Newcastle Rugby League under 19s competition, give all players at that age across the Hunter and Central Coast regions an opportunity to play the level that best suits them in competitions that are sustainable’.
Finally, Bob Dixon, Chairman of the Hunter Junior Rugby League added “Hunter juniors welcomes this
outcome, this is a great example of the benefits of open dialog and collaboration between all interested parties and stakeholders to deliver an opportunity for our players to continue their Rugby League careers, we will continue to work closely together to further enhance competitions for the 17, 18, 19 age groups”.
For more information, please contact:
Rugby League Central Coast
Gerard Andrews 0447 493 401
Newcastle Rugby League
Adam Devcich 041 041 3332
