Molong has been unanimously endorsed as the Woodbridge Cup’s 10th club heading into the 2019 season and newly elected Bulls president Jenny Barrow believes the reincarnation of her club is a boon for bush footy in the west.
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The Bulls flagged their intention to return to the field next season after a reforming discussion in mid-October was met with a groundswell of support from the Molong public.
Prepared to jump through the necessary hoops to turn the dream into a reality, Bulls supporters elected a committee, produced a detailed list of home-grown players and supplied sponsorship details at the Woodbridge Cup annual general meeting on Sunday, where the club had its application to join the league rubber stamped.
Molong’s old derby rivals Manildra as well as Peak Hill, Burrangong, Cargo, Canowindra, Grenfell, Condobolin, Eugowra and premiers Trundle all welcomed the Bulls to the 2019 premiership at the meeting, voting in favour of their return.
Barrow said she was thrilled the club was officially back, but she’s not under any illusions.
“Now the hard work starts,” she said.
Molong hasn’t had a senior rugby league side to cheer for since the Bulls folded four rounds into the 2013 Woodbridge Cup season.
Barrow says she’s hopeful the club, which also has Adam Gersbach (vice president) and Kaylee Philpot (treasurer) as members of the executive committee, will develop into a long term commodity for the Woodbridge Cup.
“Being involved with this again, I don’t want to it to be something we do and then in 12 months time think ‘oh, I can’t be bothered any more’,” Barrow said.
“This is something we should be building for the younger kids, so they have something to strive for because playing for your home town is a great thing.
It’s terrific for the cup and for Molong and footy all round.
- Woodbridge Cup chairman Andrew Pull.
“A lot of the boys’ fathers and grand fathers have played with Molong and for them to now be able to do the same is what this is all about.”
Barrow confirmed her eldest son Todd would coach the first grade side in its return. Todd has a long coaching resume with Orange Hawks and Bathurst Panthers, and is a former Group 10 captain and NSW Country representative.
Todd’s father Dave coached the club while his grandfather and uncles all played with Molong as well.
“There’s a lot of history with the club and the Bulls,” Jenny added.
“We want it to be a strong club and we’ve got lots of support.”
Reinstated Woodbridge Cup chairman Andrew Pull said Molong’s re-entry was based upon an initial three-year commitment to the competition.
“We’re very happy to have them back in,” Pull said.
“I have no doubt 20 or 25 people that will weren’t playing last season will now be playing footy because Molong is back.
“It’s terrific for the cup and for Molong and footy all round.”
Alongside Pull, Sue Herridge (secretary) and Stephan O'Byrne (treasurer) were re-elected to the Cup’s 2019 committee
Pull said the competition was slated for a March 23 start in 2019, with the earlier round one date set in order to stage a September 1 decider.
Ten-team first grade and 10-team league tag competitions are in the works, with Pull hopeful up to seven clubs will be able to field youth league sides.
A draw is expected in January.