The senior competition has joined forces with the Group 16 Minor League to offer three age groups of the full contact draw to run in November. 

There will be an Open age ladies, under 17s and under 14s. 

Women’s rugby league has been the fastest growing sector of the sport and there has been an increasing appetite for full contact versions of the women’s game. 

Group 16 chairman Allan Wilton said Bega’s own Kezie Apps exemplified the potential of ladies players progressing into the full contact arena. 

“We’ve now got the Women’s NRL competition running and there is Kezie making her debut for the St George Illawarra Dragons.”

Making a start out of Group 16, you’ve also got the likes of Cobargo’s Millie Boyle, who has enjoyed cross-code success in union as a member of the Australian Wallaroos women’s outfit. 

The 9 aside Competition starting in November in Group 16 will the commencement of an opportunity for creating pathways for our talented local players to hopefully advance and develop into future Representative Rugby League players as well as the early steps into forming a possible Womens Competition in the future.

“There’s never been a better time for Women to be involved Rugby League,” Says women’s NRL officer Kylie Hilder. 

“Women’s Nines are a great opportunity for current, returning or new players to try an alternative version of the game.

“The Nines’ has and will assist your Groups and clubs in creating pathways for regional players through the formation of these new competitions.”

Country Rugby League recently announced that a full contact women’s format will run in conjunction with the men’s draw as part of the Country Championships in 2019. 

Given the early interest in a full contact draw, Group 16 will have the chance to put players forward with the wider Monaro area to enter a team in the championships. 

Mr Wilton said there had been some fantastic early interest for the local draw and encouraged everyone to give it a go.

Kezie has also been a big proponent of league-tag players having a go in full contact competitions. 

She said previously that “it’s not as scary as some think” and that women are just as capable as the blokes. 

The competition will be in the first three weeks of November. All interested Women and Ladies are encouraged to check the information on the Group 16 Website or contact their local Rugby League Club.