Western regional rugby league will launch a 13-a-side tackle competition in 2018, featuring district teams from Group 10, 11, Woodbridge Cup and Castelreagh-Barwon areas.

The four-team fixture will commence on the last weekend in February and finish with a grand final in mid-April.

Teams will play each other twice in a home and away format. Underneath each open-age women’s side will be an under 18s nine-a-side division.

The new format was given the green light by western region delegates last week following a proposal from the newly formed Western Women’s Rugby League (WWRL) committee.

Trangie-based chairperson Melinda Gleeson will head the committee after playing an instrumental role in the establishment of the ladies’ league tag competition in Castlereagh.

“We have a strong and enthusiastic committee including the astute Kathy Lang from Mudgee,” Gleeson said.

“She will take on the operations role along with Jordan Dwyer from Orange and Baradine’s Angela Howe who was in the Cronulla Sharks Women’s rugby league squad this year.

“Following the Jillaroos’ success in the Rugby League World Cup and the NRL’s ladies’ competition, there is a need and demand for a genuine pathway for women and girls to play rugby league in western NSW.”

A final competition draw will be released in mid-January with teams to commence training later that month.

The 2018 women are also planning clinics and gala days for girls aged 5-15 in an effort to encourage all-age female participation.