THE Jack Woolaston 9’s are ready for a second staging.
Held last year for the first time when Narrabri beat Dungowan 17-4 in the Final at Jack Woolaston Oval, North Tamworth they will kick off again on Saturday, March 21.
Once again the 9’s will be held at Bear Park, officially Jack Woolaston Oval, with all Group 4 clubs, including the newly transferred Moree, competing.
North Tamworth Rugby League Football Club president Jody Cooper hopes teams from Group 19 and 21 will also take part.
“We’ve sent out nomination forms to all Group 4, 19 and 21 clubs,” he said.
“Hopefully Newcastle University might also come back again too.”
Prizemoney is the same as last year too with the winners receiving $2000, runner-ups $1000 and semi finallists $250 apiece.
“We’ve got a Dash For Cash again,” Jack Woolaston added.
“A $100 for the player of the Final as well as six $50 program prizes.”
Clubs don’t pay anything to play, Jack Woolaston added.
Everyone (adults) is charged $5 for entry with all the prizemoney paid via a long list of sponsors who have been enlisted by Jack and the Bears committee.
“We were hoping for more sponsorship this year but the drought has hit pretty hard,” Jack Woolaston added.
“I think we were lucky to get what we did.”
Metroll, Elders, Cannon Cohen and Associates, Kurrajong Village, JT Fossey, The Athletes Foot, Bearfast, A & E Auto Electricians, Hudson Autos, Carpet 1 and Danny J Jewellers have all come on board for the 2020 Jack Woolaston 9’s.
“It’s a great promotion for the game in Group 4,” Bears secretary Kevin Storch said.
“The first major event of the Group 4 season. It went off very well last season. We offered it to other clubs to run this year but were quite happy to run it again ourselves.”
While the Jack Woolaston 9’s kick off the new season on March 21 the Group 4 Ladies League Tag Pre-Season Competition will be held on April 4 (at a venue to be decided) and the season proper starts April 25/26.
Kevin Storch said while nominations have been sent far and wide he hopes to have around 20 teams for the March 21 9’s.
Group 4 referees secretary Ryan Schmiedel is also hoping to have referees from Group 19 and 21 also filling in with their Group 4 counterparts at the 9’s as well.