by Tallon Smith (12/04/2022)

700km North-West of Sydney, where the plains turn to a dusty landscape, a Rugby League oasis centred around the Barwon-Darling River continues to nurture rich talent and keep the ‘greatest game of all’ alive. The Barwon Darling Rugby League, created around 20 years ago after the collapse of Group 15 in 1992, allows Far North West towns to continue to play Rugby League. The community-centred competition, with a distinct Indigenous Australian influence, provides the small towns involved with a social occasion, and acts as a positive influence in the lives of those in this remote area.

The competition features seven clubs: the Bourke Warriors, Brewarrina Golden Googars, Collarenebri Bulldogs (in hiatus 2022), Goodooga Magpies, Lightning Ridge Redbacks, Newtown Wanderers (Walgett) and Walgett Dragons, with five grades: Senior Men, Women’s League Tag, Under 18s, Under 15s and Under 15s League Tag. Every club bar one (Lightning Ridge being the exception) fields a senior mens team, whilst five (Brewarrina, Bourke, Collarenebri, Lightning Ridge and Walgett) field women’s League Tag teams. Under 18s and 15s teams are fielded by the Brewarrina, Bourke, Lightning Ridge and Walgett clubs.

In speaking to Battlers for Bush Footy, NSWRL league and club support coordinator Jack Ramage said that while “distance [between towns] is an [issue],” the competition is stronger than ever.

“We have seven clubs [and] six men’s sides [this year, plus] five women’s [teams]. Lightning Ridge, Walgett, Bourke and Brewarrina have Under 18s [and 15s].”

The competition kicks off on May 7.