by Tallon Smith (28/04/2022)

On the Mid-North Coast, where the waves crash in, a true beacon of light is the Group 3 Rugby League competition. Featuring 8 teams, Group 3 coexists with the second tier Hastings League, forming one of the most fertile rugby league regions in Regional NSW.

The Group 3 competition contains the Forster-Tuncurry Hawks, Macleay Valley Mustangs, Old Bar Beach Pirates, Port City Breakers, Port Macquarie Sharks, Taree City Bulls, Wauchope Blues and Wingham District Tigers, some of the biggest, oldest and proudest clubs in the state.

In speaking to Battlers For Bush Footy, Group 3 President Mal Drury declared “everything is running fairly smoothly” ahead of the 2022 season.

“We have eight clubs participating in four grades,” he said, with “Port City, Macleay Valley [and] Wauchope” the ones to watch in what is set to be an “even” first grade competition.

However, Mr Drury acknowledged that the group is struggling in an area that seems to be a common problem across the state.

“Under 18s are struggling for numbers,” he said.

Group 3 kicks off this Saturday, April 30.