Neither the Magpies nor the Seahorses will be playing first grade rugby league this year.
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Bellingen Valley-Dorrigo Magpies don’t have the numbers to form a first grade team, while Woolgoolga Seahorses withdrew as they lacked sufficient senior players.
Despite being a dominant performer in the 1980s (taking eight of 11 premierships) and the 1990s (winning the competition in 1999), the Magpies have found it difficult to find enough players of first grade standard to be competitive against the stronger, more financial clubs, said President Stephen Glyde.
Both Bellingen and Woolgoolga notified Group 2 at a meeting last week that they were unable to field first grade teams this season.
“Each club said that they could field reserve grade, under 18s and ladies league tag but after a lot of discussion Woolgoolga decided to withdraw their reserve grade application,” Stephen said.
“Bellingen have strong numbers in under 18s and ladies league tag, and head coach Louis Taylor and reserve grade coach Trent Matthews are confident of getting a competitive reserve grade team together.”
Stephen said the under 18s will have five players graduating to senior teams next season.
“Hopefully this helps the Magpies consolidate their position and get a first grade team together in 2019.”
Round 1 of the 16-round season kicks off on April 8.
Janene Carey
Janene Carey is the senior journalist for the Bellingen Shire Courier-Sun
Janene Carey is the senior journalist for the Bellingen Shire Courier-Sun
