Baradine Sportsground is the venue for the much-anticipated kick-off for the 2025 Christie and Hood Castlereagh League season, with the Magpies hosting the annual League Tag Knockout on Saturday, April 5.

All 10 clubs in this year’s comp will be in action with the first blockbuster involving the home team up against last year’s grand finalists, the Coolah Kangaroos from 11am. This match should create a lot of interest and set the scene for what will be a jam-packed day of action, with 14 games to be played culminating with the final which will commence at 3.40pm.

Warren Bulldogs, in what is their comeback season after an absence of some seven years, will have their first official Castlereagh League outing against Coonamble at 12 midday.

Narromine Jets will also start their 2024 premiership defence, when they take the field at 12.20pm, lining up against the Gulgong Terriers, hoping to repeat their effort from last year when they commenced their winning campaign by taking home the knockout shield.

Castlereagh League Chairman, Chris Deighton, indicated that it was good to get the 2025 season underway.

“It looks like another great year for the Castlereagh competition, and it is always great to see the knockouts roll around each year because they signal that the kick-off to the competition proper is not far away,” Mr Deighton said.

In fact, the first round of the competition is set down for Saturday, April 26, but the knockout action will continue on Saturday, April 12, when Warren’s Victoria Oval will be the venue for the Christie and Hood Castlereagh League senior rugby league knockout.

There will be no action over the Easter break!

Meanwhile, the Gilgandra Panthers have reported improved player attendance at training after a positive session on Tuesday, March 25 with good numbers.