THE Group 11 family will grow by one in 2014 after an application by the Westside Rabbitohs to re-enter the competition was approved at yesterday's annual general meeting.
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A congregation of supporters could be heard cheering when returned Group 11 president Ross McDermott informed them of the result of a ballot undertaken by all stakeholders, which returned a decisive 25-11 vote in favour of their return.
The matter was the major topic of yesterday's meeting, which saw a large contingent of people flock into the Jacaranda Room at Dubbo RSL Memorial Club, with each club represented as well as junior leagues, Woodbridge Cup and representatives from the Group 11 Referees Association.
Col Fuller and Mark Williams put their pitch to the meeting prior to the vote, where they outlined their desire to return the club which last played in Group 11 in 1999.
"This isn't for just two or three years, we want this to last," Fuller told the meeting.
"We have got an affiliation with Eastridge through the junior rugby league to provide the base of our under-18s and we've worked to find supporters and we have had $50,000 pledged to us before we kick a ball.
"We've also had guys that have been lost to Group 11 and to rugby league tell us that they will play for us if we get elected back into the competition. We have no desire to poach first graders from CYMS or Macquarie."
On behalf of the meeting, McDermott sought to get physical evidence of the club's finances however upon the result of the ballot it was determined the new club would have until the end of the month to provide details of their sponsorship arrangements.
It is expected the Rabbitohs will play their home games at No.1 Oval after the ground's previous rugby league tenants Dubbo CYMS elected to make the move to Apex Oval.
After the vote Fuller said he was relieved to have been given the chance to resurrect what was a great club.
"We've done everything right up until now and thankfully we got the support from the meeting today," he said.
"Everything has been positive. We've got former Westside people who are willing to chip in and help us, we have a dedicated committee that have tried to get this up and it's great that we are able to bring the Rabbitohs back.
"It was a bit nerve-wracking waiting for the result of the vote but now we know we're in we can start doing the things that need to be done in order to be ready by the time next season rolls around."
Group 11 secretary Bob Walsh, who was also returned to his post unopposed, said the inclusion of the Rabbitohs into the competition is a positive for rugby league in the region.
"It's great that we're able to accommodate having more people playing rugby league out here," Walsh said.
"Obviously there's a bit of work for their committee to do and some boxes they have to tick but they've been given the chance and we'll be here to help them.
"Every stakeholder in Group 11 had a chance to have a say today and the vast majority supported Westside so we look forward to working with them, hopefully for many years to come."