Macarthur Rugby League rejects NRL rules on tackling and junior finals

One of rugby league’s biggest nurseries has set up a showdown with the NRL and now risks running an unsanctioned competition in 2024.

One of the biggest rugby league districts has flatly rejected the NRL’s proposed revamp at the grassroots level with Macarthur exploring their legal options as they prepare for a showdown with the game’s governing body.

Macarthur is the first association to stand against the NRL’s policy but now face the very real prospect of running an unsanctioned competition.

Wests Tigers Macarthur Junior Rugby League voted against the sweeping changes at a meeting on Wednesday night and plan to press on with tackling at under-6s and playing grand finals from under-9s. It is understood they will source external insurance policies.

Wests Tigers Macarthur Junior Rugby League chairman Daniel Draper confirmed the plan.

Macarthur Rugby League has voted against the NRL’s proposal. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“We intend to do tackle for five-sixers and sevens as normal,” Draper said. “And we intend to have our under-9s play grand finals.”The NRL have forced a nationwide revamp of the game at the junior level. They have banned tackling until mid-way through under-7s and eventually not have grand finals until under-13s.

The tackle ready program is to instruct players at under-6s and under-7s on defensive technique.

It is understood Macarthur have written to the NSWRL and asked them to consider allowing players to complete the tackle ready program in the pre-season for six weeks before progressing into tackling in games.They also want to give parents the option of having players play either tackle or tag at that age. In a statement the junior league said they were exploring their legal options.

“The board of the Wests Tigers Macarthur Junior Rugby League board acting on behalf of the associated clubs will seek further legal advice regarding implications and ramifications for either stepping away from the NRL or reproaching the NRL and what is actually covered by the policy and can we gap insure to enable an insurance comparison,” the statement read.

“Furthermore the clubs agree that the tackle ready program has some merit but at the request from the clubs we would like to introduce a number of changes to the program, this was vote unanimously by the associated clubs.

“The clubs agree that the; tackle ready program to run for six weeks prior to the rugby league for the under-5s, 6s and 7s. These age groups will then continue to play a full tackle rugby league competition.

“With the success of our under-9s grand finals in 2023, the clubs agreed to keep the under-9s to under-12s grand finals as per 2023. Under-5s, 6,s and 7s, to play tackle rugby league. “Parents to have the option to sign their child for an under-5s, 6s, 7s, separate league tag competition. These age groups to have parents completing waiver forms with the option of the game they wish their children to be part of.”

Macarthur are not alone in resisting the changes. St George are yet to commit. Parramatta had originally indicated they would only implement the changes if the rest of the associations in Sydney did so but have now committed to the alterations.

Originally published as Macarthur Rugby League rejects NRL rules on tackling and junior finals