New Parkes president Kevin Oliver says the Boars’ “ultimate goal” is to forge its way back into the Central West Rugby Union’s top tier but for now the club is focused on going one better in 2019.
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The Boars went agonisingly close to springing the upset of the season in the New Holland Agriculture Cup – the CWRU’s second tier – grand final in August, rocketing out to a 15-0 lead at half-time against an undefeated Narromine.
The Gorillas, though, proved deserved premiers after clawing their way back into the decider before ultimately going on to claim a 19-15 title win.
It’s a loss that stung Parkes but one, Oliver says, will drive the Boars in 2019.
“That’s going to be tough,” Oliver said looking at the new season.
The Boars will again contest the New Holland Agriculture Cup, alongside CSU Bathurst, Dubbo Rhinos, Blayney, Mudgee and premiers Narromine.
The second tier stuff has been really good, the rugby is competitive every week but that’s the ultimate goal, getting back into that top tier.
- Boars president Kevin Oliver.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s the Blowes Cup or the New Holland Cup, Narromine’s always been a great rival of ours and that will continue this season too,” he added, before touching on the club’s big picture.
“The second tier stuff has been really good, the rugby is competitive every week but that’s the ultimate goal, getting back into that top tier,” he said.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do to get there and we know that.
“We’ve got sub juniors (under 11s, 13s, 15s and 17s) but we don’t have colts or womens at this stage.
“We’ve got girls that have been playing rep rugby now for a few years but we haven’t been able to capatilise on that as yet.”
Oliver said strengthening the senior club’s relationship with the sub juniors would be a priority in 2019, while the club starts training on Tuesday, February 5 under the guidance of new coach Ben McNiven.
The former Bathurst Bulldog player and CSU Bathurst coach will mentor the Boars in 2019 and Oliver is confident the club can take that extra step.
Even if that is without Central West Blue Bulls gun Lloyd Rogers.
“We want to go one better,” Oliver said.
Returning to the club will be Boars junior and former Central West representative Iszac Oliver, who will assist McNiven with the coaching in 2019.
The opening round of the 2019 season will kick-off on April 6, with the Boars traveling to Dubbo to take on the Rhinos, a side now mentored by former Parkes premiership-winning coach Hare Lavaka.
In other opening round games, CSU hosts Blayney and Narromine begins its premiership defence at home against the Wombats.
Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
