MOREE Plains Shire Council will help Moree Boars Rugby League Club with an in-kind donation of manpower to help the club prepare for the huge Greater Western Challenge knock-out competition early next year.

The knock-out, heading into its third year, brings teams from across New South Wales for a one-day event that attracts thousands of people to Moree, including nearly 1000 players.

The competition is one of the biggest cultural and sporting events in the region, and showcases rugby league talent from across the state.

Plans are already well underway for the 2026 knock-out, to be held at Boughton Oval on Saturday, February 28.

At the Moree Plains Shire Council meeting last Thursday, councillors agreed to support the Greater Western Challenge by supplying staff to help Moree Boars Rugby League Club committee members and volunteers during the set-up and pack-away process across four days.

Moree Boars club president Todd Mitchell said in-kind support from Council “is immense, and just makes it so much easier for us”.

Rather than financial support from Council, the Boars requested in-kind support from council’s team in order to assist with the substantial set-up and pack-up requirements for the site.

Running costs for the day are substantial, totalling an estimated $50,000, and the event is run entirely by volunteers.

Council agreed to provide in-kind staff support for the Greater Western Challenge to the value of up to $11,000, funded from the 2025-26 Tourism and Economic Development Signature Event budget.

Council staff will be supplied to help assist with erection of perimeter fencing, installation of banner mesh on fencing and the erection of small marquees.

Staff will also assist with crowd control barrier fencing as well as provide assistance on the day.

Moree Boars club president Todd Mitchell thanked Council for the in-kind support.

”We really appreciate it,” Mr Mitchell said.

“It’s a great help, because it’s hard to find volunteers. Like a lot of sporting and charity groups, we’ve only got a small committee. To get this sort of help is immense, and just makes it so much easier for us.

“The knock-out also helps the community. There is going to be plenty of people in town for the weekend, and we’ll have 900-odd players this time.

“The weekend benefits everyone – coffee and food shops, hotels and motels, and the retail sector.

The Greater Western Challenge in Moree is one of the biggest cultural and sporting events in the region, and showcases rugby league talent from across New South Wales.

“The actual knock-out is only a one-day event but most people arrive in Moree the day before and many arrive a couple of days before,” he said.

Moree Boars are currently riding the crest of a premiership wave, winning the past two Group 4 grand-finals.

“The knock-out is a great way to launch our season next year and we hope to grow it even more,” Mr Mitchell said.

“In years to come, our dream is to have a festival of rugby league in Moree across three or four days and also get the NRL involved.

“We have to start somewhere, and we’re now coming into our third year for the knock-out. I believe it’s the best one-day rugby league carnival in New South Wales, and has the potential to be one of the best in Australia,” he said.

Councillor Kerry Casells said the knock-out is “absolutely brilliant”.

“It’s all done by volunteers, including erecting the fencing that goes up around the eastern side of the ovals, and brings so many people to Moree – about 4000 visitors all up,” Cr Cassells said.

“Last year there were 28 teams and six of those were for women. People come from New South Wales and Queensland, and we also have a few NRL stars come along as well – it’s absolutely brilliant,” she said.