IN a bold move to keep rugby league alive and kicking in the North West, the Mount Isa Rugby League (MIRL) has combined forces with the Mid West and the Central West regions.
The demise of the Northern Outback Extended League (NOEL) after just one season left a void in the region's rugby league calendar.
MIRL president Warren Hess said after extensive discussions with the other leagues in the west the decision to forge ahead with a Western Extended League (WEL) was taken.
"The idea of the WEL was bandied around between the Mount Isa, Mid West and Central West regions and we decided in the interests of rugby league in the west to give the concept a go," Mr Hess said.
"Unfortunately there is no escaping the fact that rugby league, like a lot of sports in regional areas, is struggling and ways to strengthen the game are needed."
Mr Hess said the WEL was established as an invitational competition where all the teams from the MIRL, Mid West and Central West were invited to nominate for the extended league.
"After the NOEL dissolved we didn't want to force sides to commit to a competition if they felt they couldn't afford the cost, time or players," Mr Hess said.
The only side from Mount Isa to be in a position to sign onto the new league before a draw had to be finalised was Black Stars.
"We invited all of the Mount Isa teams to join the WEL but Wanderers, Town and the Northern Storm indicated they were unable to be part of the new competition at this stage," Mr Hess said.
Black Stars will be joined by Mid West premiers Doomadgee, Normanton and Cloncurry, along with the Central West contingent of Winton, Longreach, Ilfracombe and Barcaldine in an eight-team competition.
Black Stars, Doomadgee, Normanton and Cloncurry will test themselves against the four Central West sides with three rounds of matches to be played during each division's regular season.
Each side will be expected to travel while also having a home game before Winton hosts a carnival for all eight teams in the final round.
The team with the best record will then host the WEL grand final.
Mid West Rugby League president Paul Stephens, who didn't hide his disappointment with the MIRL's decision to pull out of the NOEL, said the WEL was definitely something that was needed.
"I think an extended league will always be something the local competitions need," Mr Stephens said.
"The Mid West and Central West competitions will always be there but if you look at the Mount Isa competition, it's really struggling.
"In reality, an extended competition like the WEL will probably be the main competition in the future."
Mr Stephens said it was important to begin work now in order to strengthen rugby league in the region.
"The Queensland Rugby League seems to have forgotten about us a little bit out here so we have to make sure we look after ourselves," he said.
"We are starting off small with only three rounds but hopefully the competition will expand and the sides who weren't able commit this year will do so in the future."
Mr Stephens said it was good to see the presidents from all three zones working together to support the future of rugby league in the region.
"Butch Lenton from the Central West and in particular Warren Hess from the MIRL seem to have the best interests of the game at heart," Mr Stephens said.
"With the struggles facing the Mount Isa competition it's good to see someone willing to try and help revive rugby league."
Western Extended League (WEL) draw:
12 May: Doomadgee v Ilfracombe (Normanton); Normanton v Winton (Normanton); Black Stars v Longreach (Mount Isa); Cloncurry v Barcaldine (Cloncurry).
26 May: Barcaldine v Black Stars (Barcaldine); Ilfracombe v Normanton (Ilfracombe); Longreach v Cloncurry (Longreach); Winton v Doomadgee (Winton).
7 July: Ilfracombe v Black Stars (Winton); Longreach v Doomadgee (Winton); Barcaldine v Normanton (Winton); Winton v Cloncurry (Winton).
28 July: Grand Final - Hosted by side with best record.
Email a friend