After the 2021 Regional League Competition was sadly abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were very eager to get the 2022 Northern Inland HART Regional League underway. The competition took place over 2 Sundays in August at Tamworth Sports Dome with 10 teams from across the Northern Inland/North West Region representing 6 Associations across 2 Divisions. The top 4 teams in each Division returned on Sunday 28 August for the Finals Series that crowned the 2022 Northern Inland Champions.
Our Finals Series started on Sunday morning with both Division 1 & 2 top 4 ladders identical; Quirindi sitting comfortably on top, followed by Inverell, Tamworth and Glen Innes. Armidale in Division 1 and Gunnedah in Division 2 were the two teams that had to take the bottom of the ladder but both still had good outings for the Round games back on August 14.
It was an exciting start for the Division 2 Semi-Finals with 2nd place Inverell versing 3rd place Tamworth for the spot in the Grand Final. Following extra time in a game that was close the whole 60 minutes, Inverell managed to take the game, winning by just two points; 57-55.
Following the Division 1 Semi-Final matches, it was a strong bronze medal match, where Inverell needed a solid third quarter to break away to defeat Glen Innes after the 1st, 2nd and 4th quarters were tied or only a couple of goals difference.
The Division 2 Grand Final saw Quirindi take on Inverell. There was only one goal difference at the first quarter break and Inverell stayed within reach until the final quarter when Quirindi put their foot down and kept Inverell’s goal count to just the one goal for the 4th quarter.
In Division 1, Tamworth worked their way from third place to grab their spot in the Grand Final where they would come up against defending champions, Quirindi, who were strong from the first whistle right up until the final hooter. Both teams showing their incredible skills for the whole 60 minutes, with Quirindi retaining their 2020 title as Northern Inland Division 1 Champions.
The region also awarded a player from each Division with the Dorothy ‘Dot’ Lockwood Memorial Trophy - Northern Inland Regional League Most Valuable Player. Division 1 MVP, Sarah McIlveen (Quirindi) and Division 2 MVP, Sophie Hall (Glen Innes).
It’s not only our best players on display at HART Regional League; our region’s best coaches and umpires showcase their skills at the competition as well. Congratulations to Tamworth umpire, Ally Farr who was awarded her National B Badge at this year’s competition. Thank you to the Umpire Allocations Team, Lyn O’Brien (Tamworth), Sarah Horne (Tamworth) and Peter Lees (Tamworth) for all of your work with the umpires throughout the competition. And thank you to our coach mentor, Merryn Connolly and umpire mentor, Michael Rudd who were on hand to offer their assistance and provide valuable training and mentoring to coaches and umpires on the day. A thank you also goes to our selectors Kirstie Fuller, Maryanne Perkins and Lisa Donaldson who were selecting the Northern Inland Regional State Cup team which will represent the region at the Regional State Cup later this year.
