Changes proposed for Group 19 and Group 4 have been received favourably by representatives in both groups, Group 19 president Mick Lewis said this week.
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A paper presented to group 19 by Lewis at its August 13 meeting listed existing problems in both groups and suggested the establishment of a second division competition, and essentially an amalgamation of the groups.
“Those changes were passed at the meeting of Group 19, and then we attended a combined meeting with Group 4 on August 21, in Tamworth, and they’re saying they support the concept,” Lewis said.
“There’s some fine tuning to be done, but the basic concept is to break into an East-West Division of the clubs to reduce travelling. Then to establish a second division competition in the northern end of the area that’s something similar to what’s already going on down the southern end in Group 4.”
If the changes are adopted as they stand now the Group 19 first grade division west would include Inverell, Goondiwindi, Moree Boars and Boomerangs, Narrabri and Wee Waa. The Group 4 first grade division east would see Glen Innes, Armidale, North Tamworth, Oxley Diggers, West Lions and Gunnedah play against each other.
Lewis said the second division competition would remain the same for Group 4, but the Group 19 second division competition would include Ashford, Tingha, Uralla, Guyra and Tenterfield with room for teams from Warialda, Bingara, Walcha, Gravesend or Texas if they so desired.
“Uralla, Tingha and Ashford would come out of first division and go into a second division competition. We’re hoping to get Warialda Guyra and Bingara re-firing up this way,” Lewis said.
“In Warialda’s case, they approached the group about coming back in as a reserve grade side, and the group told them that that wasn’t what they wanted. This might be the answer and an easier option for them.”
Lewis said the smaller clubs, Ashford, Tingha and Uralla were enthusiastic supporters of the proposed changes that would only go ahead with club support.
Tingha Tigers president Jock Needer said the concept is a good idea.
“It’s the only way the smaller towns are going to survive; we’ve struggled all year with the expense and the lack of players,” he said.
But Inverell Hawks president Gary Lavender said he doubted his club would support the proposal.
“Back in the ‘70s, we had a second grade competition running and everyone wanted to play second grade instead of first grade,” Lavender said.
“It took away from the first grade competition. You also have the issue of (the shortage of) referees. No, this needs to be talked about, but I can’t see the Hawks backing it.”