GROUP Three Rugby League will meet with club reps next week in the next stage of formalising a women's rugby league comp in 2022.
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However, Group Three chief executive Mal Drury admits the process has been drawn out and 'frustrating'.
The matter was discussed at the North Coast Region annual meeting at Coffs Harbour, although nothing concrete was decided.
"Starting women's rugby league is something that's been talked about here since 2014,'' Mr Drury said.
"Kylie Hilder was pushing hard for it when she was the development officer for this area.
Group Three had hoped to play a women's tackle competition this year.
Under the plan the competition would start in August and culminate on grand final day with the other grades. Initially four clubs nominated, but there was one withdrawal while other logistical problems emerged.
Mr Drury said he will organise two meetings next week, one with the southern clubs and the other with those from the north.
He believes any women's competition would need to be organised in conjunction with the Hastings League where women's rugby league has been played previously.
"Speaking to the clubs down here and they say they have three or four players interested, but that's all. We might be able to get a composite side from the southern clubs,'' he said.
Mr Drury said the code risks losing players to rugby union or to Newcastle if there is no women's league competition in this area. The NSWRL registrations reached 20,000 for the first time this year.