THE fuse has been lit for another explosive chapter in the rivalry between Dubbo CYMS and Dubbo Macquarie, a rivalry which may be coming to an end sooner rather than later.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Raiders president Mark Meredith says his club will vote against the Fishies planned move to Group 10 when the matter comes before the Group 11 AGM this Sunday.
The CYMS board has put together a proposal to shift to the eastern competition, citing a desire to “compete with clubs from towns of similar-sized centres and similar demographical backgrounds”.
“We lost Cobar last year, which was sad, and now CYMS want to go. We can’t deplete Group 11 any more,” Meredith said.
“It would be easy for us to say ‘let them go’ because Blue hates Green and we’re arch rivals but that rivalry has a lot of history that they just want to wipe away.
It would be easy for us to say ‘let them go’ because Blue hates Green and we’re arch rivals but that rivalry has a lot of history that they just want to wipe away.
- Mark Meredith
“I don’t see how them moving to Group 10 is for the betterment of the game out here. All of a sudden we would go from having a 16-round competition with two byes to a 12-round competition with two byes in the space of 12 months or so.
“When clubs are pitching to sponsors the sponsors see more value for money in getting their signs up eight times a year rather than six. It’s financial suicide for other clubs trying to survive if it happens.”
Meredith said CYMS’ assertion of dominating Group 11, with nine first grade titles in the past 16 years, isn’t a reason to change the competition boundaries.
He also questioned the value for Group 10 of having a Dubbo team join the competition
“They didn’t win it this year,” Meredith said.
“Sure they have had some success and good luck to them but it’s not like they are winning the competition every year.
“There’s ramifications for Group 10 and their clubs if they shift as well, so it will be interesting to see what comes of the AGM on Sunday and the vote.”