Just for my old mate Springs concerning the switch of Hay into Group 20. I came across this article I wrote when I was still involved with the local newspaper, before I retired.
GROUP 17 ROCKED BY WITHDRAWALS
by Parra
The Group 17 Rugby League season, set down for commencement next weekend, has been thrown into disarray with Barellan Rams going into recess for the coming season due to lack of playing numbers.
The Rams, Clayton Cup winners for the best performed team in Country Rugby League in 1999, join Ivanhoe Roosters and MurrenBridge/Euabalong United on the sidelines in 2006.
All three Clubs participated in the 2005 season.
Adding to the woes of Group officials, Goolgowi Rabbitohs, premiers of the Group for the past three seasons, withdrew from the 'Ron Hunt Memorial Shield' Knockout competition played on Saturday; and Group 20 Rugby League has reportedly told newly reformed Three Ways United that it will not be able to be based in Griffith - and must play out of Whitton.
Hay Magpies Secretary Wayne Price said the future of Rugby League in the area is up in the air.
"It is very disappointing for everyone concerned because there is a genuine love of the code by fans out in this area.
"Registration costs, coupled with the failure of the code to promote the game in this region, has resulted in the decline of Rugby League in Group 17 over the years.
"The Group has been marking time for a couple of years and there does not appear to be any urgency by either Riverina Rugby League - or Country Rugby League - to provide the code with any incentives to keep going.
"It seems as though officials want the code to fall out here. It will be one less problem for them to worry about," Mr Price said.
The Hay Magpies have a solid core of players preparing for the season and the decision of Barellan to join the Roosters and MurrenBridge/Euabalong in recess is particularly disappointing for the Club.
"We have good sponsorship again for 2006, and the crowd that attended the recent trial against Three Ways United is indicative of the drawing power of the Magpies, " Mr Price said.
SPORTING EDITOR COMMENT
The fact that Australian Rules is flourishing in Barellan and Hillston, with the towns fielding teams in Under 17s, 14s and twelves as well as seniors must be a concern to Rugby League officials.
The cost of player registration has put the code out of reach of small villages already battling a crippling drought and high petrol prices.
The Magpies in Hay also face strong opposition from Australian Rules, Soccer and Rugby Union but the Club has continued to field teams and boasts a strong junior League, a second to none supporter base and good sponsorship.
The unfortunate part for Rugby League in Hay is that there is no alternative competition options for the Magpies for 2006 season.
The Magpies considered a move into adjoining Group 20 in the early eighties, and in retrospect, that would have been the Clubs' best option
The Club eyed a possible move into the Victorian Rugby League Border competition a couple of seasons ago - a competition which would have provided an avenue for a junior team to compete, but the Club was refused permission by Country Rugby League at the time.
The Country Rugby League must now come up with a solution to satisfy Rugby League fans in the codes last frontier in the far south west of the State.
Rugby League in Hay has been a good friend to the CRL over a long period of time.
Now is the time for that friendship to be repaid.
Once the game loses touch with the people, it faces oblivion.
Source - The Riverine Grazier, April, 2006.
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