Aitutaki Sharks back in

The Aitutaki Sharks rugby league club is now back in the national league competition a last minute decision by the clubs and the association was reached yesterday. CIRLA President Charles Carlson says, the decision to exclude the Aitutaki team was based on the reality of the costs and there was no other option exclude them from the competition, however, the association has managed to pull in some funding to help subsidies airfares to keep the Sharks in the competition. Previously, clubs traveling to Aitutaki would pay around $4200 for a team of 21, however due to a price increase; clubs would have to pay over $7900.00.
The decision to keep the Aitutaki team in the competition will mean the Sharks will now have to perform this year as the funding that’s been used to subsidize the airfares is the compensation money from the NZRLA who called off the Kiwis vs Cookies match last year. The Panthers will remain on Rarotonga this weekend and will go up against the Bulldogs today. The rest of the matches will be played tomorrow between the Eels and the Warriors at the swamp and the Bears take on the Sea Eagles at Raemaru.
- Moana Vaevae Tetauru

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