The Narrandera Lizards will be looking to continue on from their successful 2022 Proten Cup season when hosting the inaugural Narrandera Women’s 9s competition on March 2.

Narrandera will host a six to ten team rugby league 9s competition in the open women’s age group, while they are looking to host games in the under 16s and 14s junior age groups.

Lizards president Shaun Lyons said the concept of a 9s tournament and junior games was important in promoting the sport of women’s rugby league in Narrandera and the Riverina.

“We put it out there because women’s rugby league is a growing sport, and it’s getting huge now with the NRLW, and we want to give kids and local women a chance to play,” Lyons said.

“We have had four or five sides nominated, and we need six to get it up and running.

“With the juniors, we want girls to play rugby league. Even if we get two teams in each age group, we will give them a game and a taste of the sport.”

Lyons said he modelled the idea of Albury’s successful 9s tournament, and with the Thunder entering a team, along with the Griffith Black and Whites, Lyons is expecting upwards of 10 clubs to play on the day.

“We have Albury, Griffith and Narrandera, and we are expecting all the Proten Cup teams to come, and if that happens, which is nearly a given, we could have 10 teams playing,” Lyons said.

Registrations for the Narrandera Women’s 9s competition close on February 17, and anyone interested can contact Shaun Lyons on 0468 913 249.