A familiar face is set to return to the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League fold with the Newtown Lions approved to field under 6 to under 12 sides in 2021.
It marks a comeback eight years in the making, following the club’s removal from the competition prior to the 2013 season.
After receiving a submission from the club earlier this year, TJRL chair Dan Aldons met with Newtown club officials recently to ratify their re-entry.
"Newtown have demonstrated they have the required governance and finance structures in place," Aldons said.
"They also have sufficient player numbers in the under 6 to under 12 grades and have secured appropriate infrastructure to accommodate the hosting of sanctioned games.
"I would like to welcome Newtown on board for 2021, and we look forward to working with them in the coming months."
After nine years, the Lions returned to the Toowoomba Rugby League in 2018, entering a side in the Second Division competition, which saw them go through the season unbeaten, claiming the premiership and President’s Cup.
A Toowoomba Rugby League season this year would have seen them take to the field in both A and Reserve Grade competitions, however the club will have to wait until 2021 to return to the flagship events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Lions will play out of the Jack Martin Memorial Complex in Drayton, which has undergone significant upgrades in the past 18 months.
Newtown’s inclusion takes the number of teams in the TJRL mini / mod competitions to nine.
