Times are tough at Gunnedah Junior Rugby League but there is hope a new plan will breathe life into a struggling football club.
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A lack of players has forced the club to abandon its domestic, round-robin competition this season.
Gunnedah players will instead play in the Tamworth junior competition on a home-away basis.
The change affects 9, 10, 11 and 12 years division players who previously played all games in Gunnedah, will now play every second week in Tamworth.
Club president Peter Lennox said the move has drawn mixed reaction from local families.
"Some have told me they won't be playing this year; others love the idea," Lennox said.
He personally wished to see other options explored this season. But the club committee vote was final and it's a decision both Lennox and the club will move forward with.
"I'm not 100 per cent for it but the committee chose that's the way it's going to go," he said.
At the crux of the problem has been a dwindling membership base.
The club had already merged its six age divisions into just three but still struggled to raise a four-team competition in each.
And with just 50 players registered so far for the 2016 season, an urgent decision was needed on the future of the league.
"We're not going to make everybody happy but we had to try something," Lennox said.
The change will also affect Tamworth teams, who Lennox understands, will be travelling away for games for the first time as well.
While Gunnedah players will gain access to more competitive football and face teams their own age, unfortunately the travel will be at family expense.
Lennox thought the restructure was a sign of the times.
"I don't think we're alone [in low player numbers], there's so much more variety for kids to do," he said.
"It's not like how it used to be and was just football and soccer."
There will be no change to Gunnedah's 5-6 and 7-8 years division which will continue to play all matches in Gunnedah.
The club will host a registration day on Friday, February 5, starting 3.30pm, where NRL players from the Gold Coast Titans are expected to be on hand for a meet and greet. Registration is also possible online via the club's Facebook page.
