RLN general manager Alex Smits. Photo / John Stone
RLN general manager Alex Smits. Photo / John Stone
Several Far North rugby league clubs have announced they will breakaway from the Rugby League Northland governing body and go it alone in 2016.
In a meeting in Kaikohe on Monday night, delegates representing the Far North clubs, who are affiliated to the recently established Far North Districts Rugby Leagueorganisation, made the decision.
FNDRL spokesman Hone Harawira said "everyone" was well aware the new zone would create a lot of work for a lot of people.
" ... But we move forward in the knowledge that, 'It is better to be with people where you are celebrated than with people where you are simply tolerated.'"
Clubs linked to the FNDRL include Moerewa, Hokianga, Muriwhenua, Otaua Valleys, Pawarenga, along with Kerikeri and Kaikohe. "It's a real kick in the teeth," said RLN general manager, Alex Smits.
He noted the formation of a "pirate league" was not in the best interests of anyone, and with RLN given the mandate to operate the game in the province, any new competition would be "unsanctioned" and not endorsed by the NZRL mothership.
Smits felt the campaign to launch the breakaway league had been based on a lot of misinformation. He added he and his organisation were determined to prevent the FNDRL competition from undermining the greater good achieved over the past decade. "Let's fight back. We've got something to fight for," he said.
The RLN board will look to issue a statement in the next week around the matter.
