ARL launch Sportsafe Community Nines pilot tournaments

ARL launch Sportsafe Community Nines pilot tournaments

The Auckland Rugby League is pleased to announce a series of new rugby league nines tournaments which will take place later this year.

The Sportsafe Community Nines will be held over four consecutive Sundays from September 13-October 4, and consist of Men's U/21 U/85kg, Men's U/18 U/75kgs and U/18 Women's Open Weight competitions.

Held at Cornwall Park in Greenlane, the tournaments aim to open the game up to more participants in more places, with weight and age restrictions ensuring they fit the needs of everyone, regardless of experience in the game.

ARL CEO John Ackland said opening rugby league up to more players in more places was a key part of the organisation's strategic direction.

"We see the Sportsafe Community Nines as the ideal vehicle to encourage different ethnic and community groups to give rugby league in Auckland a go, in what is a social and less structured environment than traditional competitions," Ackland said.

"We want to follow the lead of a sport like cricket, who have constantly evolved over time to adapt to their audience’s needs, and in the Community Nines we have a concept we believe suits a wide variety of people, whether they have played the game before or not.

"We have kept entry free and people can get together a group of friends and enter a team just as they would for a touch or tag module."

The ARL will also offer coaching assistance to teams, as well as pre-tournament briefings on rules of the game.

Check out the ARL website or contact Patrick Carthy on pat.c@aucklandleague.co.nz for more details.

Key Sportsafe Community Nines details:

Three different grades - Men's U/21 U/85kg, Men's U/18 U/75kg and Women's U/18 Open Weight.

Run over four consecutive weeks from September 13-October 4 at Cornwall Park, Auckland.

Entries close September 1.

ENDS

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