Nyngan Tigers president Glenn Neill believes the "turmoil" which has engulfed his club in recent weeks will act as motivation for the 2021 Group 11 season.
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It's been a tumultuous period for the Tigers but after after Sunday's Group 11 annual general meeting they know they will continue to play at the highest level in the region.
Neill feared for the future of the Tigers after the NSW Rugby League's Peter Clarke attended the club's annual general meeting last month and warned it may not feature in a proposed competition combining clubs from Group 11 and Group 10.
It had been a "terrible" time for Neill and his community since but at the weekend clubs across the two groups voted in favour of a combined league including Nyngan, Narromine, and Blayney - the clubs most in danger - to be formed for the 2022 season.
"At the end of the day everyone is in support of what's happening. I thought it was great to see the other clubs supporting each other," Neill said.
The result of the AGM is what everyone involved with the Tigers wanted and Neill is most please there is now a set plan for the region after weeks of uncertainty.
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The thought of being removed from Group 11 was a devastating one for the passionate Tigers fanbase in Nyngan to consider, but now it's time to "roll the sleeves up" and start planning for a return to play.
The 2021 Group 11 season will go ahead as normal, and with it most likely the last to be run before a merge with Group 10 the premiership will be a historic one.
And Nyngan are as eager to compete as any of their six rivals.
"I don't doubt what's happened last few weeks will be extra motivation," Neill said.
"Everyone in town wants to get back into it. It will be a big 12 months and I just hope we can go as well as I reckon we can."
Given the lack of rugby league in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and then the recent uncertainty there has been little player movement at Nyngan.
Neill is hopeful all those who were set to play for the club this year - headlined by incoming captain-coach Jeremy Smith - will be on deck again in 2021.
"We've spent the last month in turmoil. But now we can roll our sleeves up and we're busting to get back out there and have a crack," he said.
"Hopefully most (players) understood we couldn't give a firm commitment. But we're looking good.
"People from last year are locked in as far as I know."
The 2021 premiership race is now firmly the focus for clubs across the competition, but planning for a combined league the following year will be happening in the background.
A committee to investigate the proposed league and plan its formation will be formed shortly - Group 11 identities Paul Loxley, Ross McDermott, and Martin Cook are already confirmed members - and it is set to present to clubs midway through next year so there is ample time to plan for the competition.
"I still think we all need to find out a bit more and map out things," Neill said of the combined league.
"I'm not ready to commit until we've talked to all the players and the committee.
"This can't happen on a whim and you've got to look at all involved but this12 months gives us time to do that."
The proposed 2022 competition would feature three pools of five clubs playing a 12-round season.
Nyngan would be pooled with Group 11 rivals Dubbo CYMS, the Macquarie Raiders, Wellington, and Narromine.
One of the major concerns for clubs from smaller towns in relation to the combined league is the finances involved, with Group 11 president Bob Walsh revealing the Parkes and Forbes clubs raised their worries on Sunday.
It's something Neill is also wary of, as the new league would feature clubs from the region's largest centres Dubbo, Orange, and Bathurst.
"You've always got to be open to things but the one thing I said, everyone's got to realise whether we like it or not it's going to be more expensive to run," Neill said.
"Whatever it's called, it will be a red-hot competition so you're going to have to find more money for players."
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
