The saga surrounding the Central West Rugby Union’s (CWRU) colts competition is far from over.
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Following CSU Bathurst’s campaign to have the colts lifted back to under 20s and CWRU CEO Peter Veenstra essentially putting the kibosh on it, the region’s clubs have banded together in a bid to bring positive, long-term change.
In a bold move, over the past four days Orange Emus president Steve Fergus rallied all 10 of the Blowes Clothing Cup’s clubs together before requesting a sit-down negotiation with CWRU’s board on Monday morning.
Emus is one of several clubs which has had significant struggles to field a colts side in recent seasons, struggles he said were exacerbated by the decision to change the colts eligibility from under 20s to under 19s last year.
Fergus indicated the greens will have a colts side this season but amid CWRU’s threat for clubs to field colts or “find somewhere else to play” and claims “we’ve bent over backwards to ensure each club can field a colts side”, more than half the competition’s clubs have reportedly faced battles for numbers leading into the 2017 season, which starts on Saturday.
“Every club in this competition is in a different position. What I hope this does is get Central West to the table to hear out the clubs on the issues they’re facing and work with the clubs on a colts competition that promotes player involvement every week of the season,” Fergus said.
Although the request as a whole is merely asking for discussion Fergus indicated his club will join CSU’s cause, disputing CWRU’s claim to have “bent over backwards” in the process.
“[Emus] disagrees with that statement entirely,” Fergus fired.
“Central West has made accommodations in allowing 10-a-side rugby, but this isn’t a solution that retains and develops players long-term.
“The move to penalise clubs … is probably necessary to motivate but it cannot be called helping clubs’ recruitment.
“Outside of these actions I am not aware of any work done by Central West to actively improve player numbers.”
That work, he says, has been done by the clubs themselves. Emus, for example, has offered free registration for colts and also established links between senior players and schoolboy rugby programs.
In Emus’ eyes, a move back to under 20s would increase the chances of every club fielding a side, substantially.
“We believe [that will] increase the player pool,” he said.
“Our club loses more players in the move from under 19s to opens than we do from under 17s to under 20s.
“We acknowledge Central West wants to align colts ... with NSW Rugby but Emus believe it hurts player numbers long-term, and the overarching goal should be player numbers in the junior ranks.”
The colts age was discussed at CWRU’s annual general meeting, at length, and all the clubs in attendance except CSU agreed for it remain under 19s. Emus didn’t attend.
“Emus’ absence can’t be excused, we’re a large club and we should be there,” Fergus conceded.
“I have apologised to the other club presidents, however the issue of colts participation is too great to sit on the sideline.”