Dubbo CYMS chairman Kevin Walkom says there is “nothing to discuss at the moment” despite reports the Fishies had made a sensational approach to join Group 10 in 2017.
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But the Fishies supremo did say the Country Rugby League (CRL) should entertain the idea of reviewing the boundary system which separates the current Groups and regions.
The Group 10 annual general meeting was held on the weekend, with it being reported Dubbo CYMS had “made contact” with the competition and chairman Linore Zamparini about a possible switch but Walkom wouldn’t be drawn in on any speculation.
I think there’s merit in the CRL revisiting the boundary structure, definitely.
- Dubbo CYMS president Kevin Walkom
“There’s nothing to discuss at the moment,” he said, adding he was looking forward to this weekend’s Group 11 AGM.
Zamparini echoed that sentiment, saying it was unlikely the 2016 Group 11 runners-up would be transferring.
“I don’t think it’s likely to, either. Ignoring boundaries can open up a can of worms … and there’s likely ramifications for our Group, too, if it’s all allowed,” he said.
“Mudgee, Cowra, even Orange, you could class the clubs in those towns all on the edges of our Group, and we don’t want to lose them. Removing boundaries makes that a possibility.”
While shelving talk around what would be a massive moment in country rugby league, Walkom did say the game’s governing body should look at some of its rules.
Walkom said the country had changed and “some smaller towns had gotten smaller and some regional centres had got bigger” and that meant bush footy was vastly different to what it was in the past.
“I think there’s merit in the CRL revisiting the boundary structure, definitely,” he said.
“They were put in place about a century ago and there’s merit in looking at it for the good of the game, not just one club. In order to maintain a competitive competition they’ll need to revisit it.”
The focus for Walkom and his club is now purely on this weekend’s Group 11 AGM.
The Fishies had their own AGM last week and Walkom said his club is “happy” after making three Group 11 grand finals in 2016.
The men in green and white sensationally lost the first grade decider to Forbes while the League Tag side lost a thrilling grand final to the Parkes Spacecats.
But the reserve grade side did get up and lifted the premiership after a win over the Raiders on the final day of the season.
“The club is happy and happy with last season’s performances across the board,” he said.
Walkom said he was proud of the fact his club won three minor premierships as well as the one title.
With sustained success both on and off the field again the goal for the Fishies, Walkom added his club had secured the services of Aurora Research and Development to do a business and performance review.