Woodleys Isuzu Ute has come on board as the major naming rights sponsor, joining Tooheys, Wayne Cadman Insurance and Financial Planning, and North West Farm Machinery.

“It’s great to have such a good local company supporting us,” Group 4 chairman Ray McCoy said of the Woodleys Isuzu Ute deal.

“Wayne Cadman has also been a good sponsor for a few years now while Roger Moylan (North West Farm Machinery) is sponsoring our first grade best and fairest awards.”

Tim Stebbings, General Sales Manager for Woodleys Isuzu Ute, is delighted his company has been able to take up the major sponsorship rights.

“We are really looking forward to the new season.

“We (Woodleys) are in in our second year with Isuzu and it’s great to find a partnership with a local sport. It is good timing for us,” he said.

Roger Moylan owns Quirindi-based North West Machinery and has also been involved with both the Gunnedah and Quirindi rugby union clubs.

“It’s a great opportunity,” he said of a new look Group 4 season.

“I think it will take off.”

McCoy describes the new-look first and second grade competition as a “compromise season” for all clubs.

Whilst there were some criticisms and outcry early on when the competitions changes were first mooted, he said opponents to the new structure have now changed to “positive views”.

“Some of the clubs were very negative about it early on,” McCoy said, “because change can be scary”.

“However they’ve changed their thinking after looking at the positives.”

“We have a new competition structure with eight first grade sides, seven second grade sides, 11 ladies league tag sides and six under 18 teams.”

The former first and second division competitions have been ditched with Narrabri, Gunnedah and North Tamworth joined in first grade by Boggabri, Werris Creek, Dungowan, Bendemeer and Kootingal.

South West Robins, Barraba, Wee Waa, Narrabri, Gunnedah, North Tamworth and Bendemeer match up in reserve grade, while every club has a ladies league tag side that will play an 11-team competition. Boggabri, Narrabri, Gunnedah, Dungowan, North Tamworth and Kootingal have entered under-18 sides.

Public officer Peter Blom said the advent of ladies league tag in recent seasons has been a revelation for country rugby league.

“It’s changed the culture of the clubs as well,” Blom said.

“Now we also have a lot of girls who want to play tackle football as well.”

They will be catered for with a separate tackle competition later in the season, following the Group 4 finals series.

Blom said Group 4 has tried to schedule a two-round home and away first grade competition without bye, with ladies league tag having a mix of games.

“We’ve tried to make sure clubs play all their games at the one venue on the same day where possible,” he said.

“It is difficult with the different number of teams in each grade.

“We’ll also be able to have some Friday night games at North Tamworth now that they have new lights and also at Gunnedah. “