Considering the tough, but necessary, stance Central West Rugby Union (CWRU) is taking regarding colts in 2017, Orange Emus skipper and vice president Nigel Staniforth said his club has taken a similarly pro-active approach to ensure it can field a side in that grade next season.
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CWRU sent the clear message if a club doesn’t field firsts, seconds and colts they won’t be in the Blowes Clothing Cup next year, which, based on 2016 would relegate the reigning first grade premiers to the second tier.
Emus have failed to consistently field a colts age side since winning the title in 2009 but Staniforth said the club has already spoken to, and all but confirmed, coaches for the colts grade and will start solidifying a player base as early as next week.
“We’ve always tried hard to field a colts side and there’s no secret the move to under 19s didn’t help us last year,” Staniforth said.
“But we’ve got a strong group of potential coaches in mind for colts and the other grades, which we’ll confirm next week, and we’re viewing CWRU’s tough stance as a good way for us to promote more interaction between our senior and junior clubs as well, to continue development.
“I can confidently say we will have a colts side in 2017 though and we’ll open up the communication pathways for potential players early next week.”