Gunnedah will learn on Tuesday night whether or not they will be part of an integrated competition with New England next season.
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On Sunday, Central North voted convincingly in favour of trialing a joint competition, and if New England follow suit at their meeting, it will see the two zones joining forces for 2018 and 2019.
Gunnedah were one of three clubs to vote against the proposal, not seeing any advantage in pursuing it at this stage.
“Ultimately in balance maybe we have to eventually head that way because we need to get more people playing rugby,” Red Devils vice-president Sam Leys said.
“We don’t think that 2018 is the year to do that.”
Having agreed to disband with the two tier system and return to the old home and away system at the agm, Leys said they would prefer to see how that goes.
”We understand the principles that they are trying to chase - more depth for third grade, more depth for juniors, and more depth for the womens competition but I’m not sure how all that is going to unfold and whether that will be achieved,” Leys said.
He voiced concerns about the potential increased travel and what will happen during the university holidays. They also don’t see how it will help the smaller clubs, and can’t see any advantages in the move for Gunnedah.
“(But) At the end of the day what Gunnedah is about is turning up to play rugby next year whatever the competition is,” he said.
“We’ll be working hard to make sure Gunnedah is a competitive force in whatever competition there is.”