JUNIOR rugby league is thriving in Port Stephens despite the area's senior side, the Sharks, having to sit out this season due in part to limited player numbers.
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Nelson Bay Junior Rugby League Club is set to enjoy one of its best seasons yet with strong numbers of young players registered to play, including girls, and securing hosting rights for some of the game's top junior fixtures plus a prestigious tournament.
"This year's player numbers are the healthiest they have been in years," club president Shane Dates said.
"We have over 200 players and will field 16 teams from under sixes to under 16s."
Dates said it was "exciting times ahead" for the club, which plays at Salamander Sports Complex.
For the Knights Cup, held last weekend, 400 of the best junior representatives from the Central Coast to Kempsey and out to Tamworth converged on Salamander Sports Complex for a pre-Country Cup tournament.
"Later in the year we will continue our great association with the Knights and host the area round of the Jarrod Mullins Cup," Dates said.
"This is primary school year six tournament held between local schools who play for the right to move on to the next stage of the competition."
Dates said a focus for the club was to make it a family atmosphere and break the stigma that rugby league was only for boys.
"The more girls playing our great game and the more women involved can only help improve the game and clubs they represent," Dates said.
"This year our committee has six women on it, we have a female under-eights coach and five girls playing."