The Cootamundra Tricolours have been given until December 10 to give Southern Inland Rugby an answer on their plans for next season or risk losing their place in the competition.
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The Rugby Club, together with Temora and Young Rugby Clubs, have been looking at their options after finding it increasingly difficult to compete with the talent-stacked Wagga clubs.
Tricolours president Bob Scott said the club is currently weighing up their options with the ultimate goal that the Cootamundra Rugby Club has a future in town for many years to come.
Bob said they have been looking in the direction of the Central West Competition, which includes West Wyalong, Condobolin, Grenfell and Canowindra.
If Cootamundra, Young and Temora were all to join this competition they would be able to create a northern and southern pool benefiting the competition and the players.
What we know for sure is we are going to one side next year so based on that we are trying to work out the best spot for us.
- Cootamundra Rugby Club president Bob Scott
While much is undecided, what Bob said is for certain is wherever they end up Cootamundra will only field one team next year.
If they decide to stay with Southern Inland Rugby, it will be over to the powers that be whether the side the Tricolours field fits into the first or second grade draw.
Bob said there simply are not the players in Cootamundra there once were.
Needing 40 plus players each week to field two sides, Cootamundra is getting half this on a good week, meaning players are backing up for both games and both grades are suffering.
The Rugby Club is not taking this decision lightly.
Their version of crunch-time comes on the back of two seasons of poor results, however rather than blaming the competition, the Rugby Club has used the results as a catalyst for change.
They have had discussions with local schools and the junior club about player numbers coming through the ranks and do not see an immediate improvement in this department, therefore are working out the best course of action based on this.
They have also held discussions with Monaro Rugby Union, however joining this compeition has been ruled out as an option for Cootamundra.
Last season, the Tricolours came out of nowhere to win a second grade premiership.
This was after winning very few games in the initial part of the season and shows what is possible when the club only has to worry about putting one side on the paddock each week.