After a dominant 2019 in which the club won three titles and the club championship, Bathurst Bulldogs have indicated they'll shake things up in a massive way in 2020 and chase success in the New Holland Agriculture Cup as well.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
At Friday night's annual general meeting, returning president Greg Reid said his club intends to enter a first and second grade in Central West Rugby Union's second tier next year, as well as teams in the top tier Blowes Clothing Cup.
The decision is born from the sheer amount of forfeits Bulldogs received in the Blowes Clothing Cup Third Grade and Colts competitions in 2019, in a bid to be pro-active and give the club's players as much rugby as possible.
"We're looking to change our operating model and put two teams in first grade and second grade, which is really exciting," he said.
"We would put a first and second grade team in Blowes Clothing Cup and we're also going to put two teams into the New Holland Cup.
"Third grade has been under the demise for quite some time, which is unfortunate. I love third grade and it's the heart and soul of the club.
"Colts has also struggled for that age group for other towns, seeing a lot of forfeits.
"We saw in the best interest of our club, providing more consistent and high lever rugby, we'd try this operating model."
It seems there is no stumbling blocks in terms of the decision, while first and second grade sides were initially mandatory in the top tier in 2019 Third Grade was optional and Colts a standalone competition.
The decision would mark the return of the traditional Bathurst derby, with CSU the reigning champions in the second tier's top grade.
The two sides haven't faced off since Central West's restructure in 2017.
"We'd rekindle our cross-town rivalry with CSU, which will be great," Reid said.
The New Holland Agriculture Cup also features the Dubbo Rhinos, who finished with the wooden spoon in first grade last year, and the Narromine Gorillas.
In reflection, Reid said the 2019 was one of the most successful season's in the club's 145-year history.
"We've been around since 1874 but it was probably the most successful year in the club's history," he said.
"Five grades in the grand final, hosting the grand final for the first time since 2002 and it was a huge financial windfall hosting the grand final. I think we had about 2800 come to it.
"It was just a real fitting end to a great season. We're hoping to leverage that going into the 2020 season and strive to go back-to-back."
Bulldogs won the first grade, third grade and women's premierships in 2019, while suffering defeats to Orange Emus and Dubbo Kangaroos in seconds and colts respectively.
At the annual general meeting on Friday night, Reid returned as president, while Brian Roberson and Pip McIntosh were named vice-presidents.