Dubbo CYMS is set to rock rugby league in the western region this Sunday when it puts forward a proposal for the club to move to Group 10.
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While CYMS chairman Kevin Walkom said on Monday “there was nothing to discuss at the moment” a submission will be put forward at this Sunday’s Group 11 annual general meeting outlining the club’s desire to change competitions.
Both Group 11 president Derrick Hoe and Walkom confirmed the Fishies met with the competition’s board last month in a formal, minuted meeting where the Dubbo club first signalled its intent to move.
“We had a formal meeting and they proposed to leave Group 11 to go to Group 10,” Hoe confirmed.
“We listened to it and we’ll do what we think is best for our Group and country rugby league.”
In regards to the proposal put forward, Walkom said “we feel it will be for the betterment of rugby league”.
It is understood the main reason for CYMS wanting to move is to play in the same competition as sides from the major regional centres of Orange and Bathurst.
The proposal, which the CYMS club voted to undertake, is believed to state that for the club to continue its growth and development it needs to be playing in a competition with other major cities which are also experiencing growth.
While the Fishies failed to win the Group 11 premiership in 2016, losing to Forbes in a thrilling decider, there is no denying the club has been the competition’s powerhouse in recent times.
The men in green and white have won nine of the past 16 first grade titles, including two successive wins in 2014 and 2015.
The matter is expected to be voted on at the Group 11 AGM, with Hoe saying “no decision has been made yet” but even if the Group 11 clubs and board give it the okay, the huge move is far from a certainty.
Group 10 would also have to accept the proposal, which may be easier said than done after chairman Linore Zamparini’s comments in regard to the matter on Monday.
“I don’t think it’s likely to, either. Ignoring boundaries can open up a can of worms … and there’s likely ramifications for our Group, too, if it’s all allowed,” he said.
And following on from that, the Western Rams board and then the Country Rugby League (CRL) board would have to approve it.
The matter would go before the CRL at a board meeting, where a vote would be undertaken.
The CRL board meets this Thursday and again at its AGM on November 25 but the next meeting, the one likely to include any possible vote, is expected to be in January.
However, a matter like this could call for an unscheduled board meeting or phone hook-up.
The Group 11 annual general meeting will be held from 10am on Sunday at the Dubbo RSL Club.
