League: Bay, Coastline stand off resolved

The ongoing saga threatening this year's Bay of Plenty rugby league competition has taken a positive turn after a meeting in Rotorua.

A stand-off between the Bay of Plenty and Coastline clubs had jeopardised the competition, due to start on April 14.

The result of Wednesday's meeting between the Upper Central Zone, Bay of Plenty District Board and New Zealand Rugby League was a set of conditions that would allow the Coastline clubs to compete in the 2012 Bay of Plenty competitions.

Those conditions are still to be agreed and signed by the Coastline clubs - Otumoetai Eels and Tauranga Whalers. However, in a statement, Marcus Reynolds, general manager of New Zealand Rugby League's Upper Central Zone, said all competitions would kick off as scheduled.

He said that was good news for all, with Coastline clubs getting access to one of the strongest schoolboy competitions in the country and Bay clubs receiving a greater variety of opposition.

"Bay of Plenty opening up their competition is going to strengthen rugby league in both of the districts and result in a stronger game long-term.

"We're appreciative of the concessions being made by the Bay of Plenty clubs, but at the same time hope we're adding value to their rugby league experience in 2012," he said.

Bay of Plenty and Coastline will maintain their identities as stand-alone districts and still play representative fixtures against each other.

Reynolds said the outcome had created "a best of both worlds" situation. "The schoolboys' club rugby league is on track for another solid year and the elite players still have two opportunities at representative honours," he said.

He said the inclusion of Coastline would also boost the premier clubs looking ahead to the WaiCoa Bays Premier Club competition in June.