Joint teams to be fielded in junior rugby league

The Peninsula's two junior rugby league clubs have decided to field joint teams in up to four age divisions for the coming season to secure the numbers to play.

The meeting was held at Everglades Country Club on October 15 between the Umina Bunnies and the Woy Woy Roosters.

Bunnies president Mr Ken Dyer and Roosters vice-president Mr Scott Jones addressed members of both clubs' who attended and announced a proposal to merge the age divisions that both clubs' have traditionally struggled to field a team in due to low player registration.

Central Coast Division Junior Rugby League president Mr Ben Spackman also spoke on the night, giving examples of how joining teams from two different clubs was successful last season.

After the three main speakers had concluded their presentations, members from the floor were then invited to ask questions and express their thoughts.

"A number of members from both clubs all spoke passionately and expressed their thoughts and questions," said Roosters Juniors secretary Mr Chris Jones.

Mr Jones said a working committee was formed, comprising of three members from each club.

"Ken Dyer, Leanne Jobson and Cae Burgess from Umina and Tim McParlane, Wayne Hayward and Scott Jones from Woy Woy formed the committee."

Three motions were put to the meeting to combine club registered players to field teams in the Central Coast Junior Rugby League Competition in the Under 16's and 18's age divisions.

It was also put forward that should the clubs' be unable to attain satisfactory player registrations they need to field a team in the Under 13's and Under 15's, they would also field a "joint venture" team in both of those divisions.

"The motions were proposed after several meetings with consultation back and forth over the last couple of months," Mr Jones said.

"Three separate motions (one for the Under 16's, one for the Under 18's and one for the Under 13's and 15's) were voted on with a minimum of 60 per cent of the voting strength required to carry the motions.

"All three motions were carried by a majority vote," he said.

Mr Jones said players could register at either club and that their playing records will continue with their registered club.

Joint Venture player stats will appear as separate entries on their player records and any applicable career awards from their registered club will still be awarded.

Mr Jones stressed that this was not a merger of the two clubs, but an alternative means for each club to retain their heritage and identity, as well as players who may have left either club due to their division not having the numbers for a competitive team to be formed, as has been the case in the past.

"The working committee will now start the hard work, forming proposals for the workings and management of the Joint Venture Agreements, which will be ratified by both clubs," Mr Jones said.

"This will include what the Joint Venture teams will be called and the kit they will wear.

"As suggested on the night, players will be given the opportunity to have input into the design of their kits.

"The entire process has been a collaborative effort by both clubs with input from members which will continue over the coming weeks.

"In this time, where teenage participation numbers in all sports are plummeting, offering players on the Peninsula a new opportunity, without losing the heritage of our clubs is an exciting achievement for both the Roosters and the Bunnies," Mr Jones said.

SOURCE:

Media release, 18 Oct 2018

Chris Jones, Woy Woy JRLFC