After having its request to withdraw its First Grade Men’s team from the Group 16 rugby league competition knocked back, the Bega Roosters have withdrawn their withdrawal.
The club was asking to continue in the local rugby league competition with a stand alone Second Grade team but the Group 16 board refused and recommended Bega be given the opportunity to remain with a First Grade and Second Grade team, with the club required to make a decision by Sunday (May 28).
The Roosters notified the Group 16 board of its decision to keep its First Grade and Reserve Grade teams in the competition after an overwhelming response from the players.
“We held a players meeting at training on Thursday night and our players are adamant they will continue,” a Bega Roosters spokesperson said.
“We will not be withdrawing our First Grade or our Reserve Grade from the 2023 season, so we will see you on the paddock.”
The First Grade side won’t make it out onto the Bega Rec Ground this weekend though, with the forfeit against the Merimbula-Pambula Bulldogs on Saturday to stand, ahead of the club’s annual dress up night on Saturday.
Group 16 Chairman, Allan Wilton, told East Coast Radio it would have been disappointing to see a second team go, after the Moruya Sharks withdrew a few weeks ago due to injuries and a lack of First Grade players.
When asked why the Roosters and Sharks couldn’t have a stand-alone Second Grade team, Mr Wilton said, “We are a First Grade competition and the priority must go towards clubs fielding First Grade teams.”
“Look at Bombala when they first came back into the competition, they were getting beaten by scores of 70 but they continued in that competition and it was a tough year for them but two years later they won the competition,” Wilton said.
“Teams do go in cycles, they do go up and down, they have strong seasons, they have weaker seasons and it’s very hard when you’re having a weaker season.”
Though the Bega First Grade side only has one win to it’s name, they will be looking to get the most out of the remaining 2023 season, while giving experience to some of its younger brigade.
“It’s wonderful news that they will be continuing on this year, well done to all of those Bega officials and the players to rally together and make that decision,” Wilton said.
The Roosters will now have two weeks to regroup and come out in Round 8 against the Blue Heelers at the Bombala Showground.
Images: Bega Roosters, East Coast Radio
