Cowra presidential candidate Ian Robertson said his club is stoked it will contest the 2018 Blowes Clothing Cup, rather then yet-to-be named second tier where the Eagles were originally touted to be.

The Eagles were staring down the barrel of playing in that second tier whether they liked or not, Robertson said, and the club heavily opposed that, going as far as proposing an alternative structure to Central West Rugby Union.

But CSU Bathurst indicated it would prefer to be in the second tier, giving Cowra an opening to remain in the premier competition.

That created an opening for Cowra in the top tier, which the club accepted gleefully.

“There’s no doubt if CSU said they’d play in tier one we wouldn’t have got a look in,” Robertson, who will nominated for Cowra’s presidency for 2018, said.

“Where the clubs were destined to go was determined by colts.

“They originally had Cowra penciled in tier two.”

Benefits for Cowra playing in tier one include complete focus on two grades and the women’s team, less travel and competing in the higher strength competition.

Robertson said the Eagles would have spiraled into decline if it wasn’t in the top tier.

“We fought hard because it’s what our players want,” he said.

“But if the players didn’t want it, we wouldn’t have fought for it.

“The players are absolutely looking forward to it.”

The end result gives Cowra a chance to “revisit” how the club operates, Robertson said, with a new streamlined committee expected to be announced following its annual general meeting.

“It’s really positive for us. We need to think and get things done for the future.”

Cowra joins Orange Emus, Orange City, Bathurst Bulldogs, Forbes Platypi and Dubbo Roos in the new look competition.

The second tier will include CSU Bathurst, Mudgee, Dubbo Rhinos, Parkes, Narromine and Blayney.

A draft draw for the 2018 season has 15 rounds with the finals series to be contested between the top four sides.