NRL 2020: Forbes knockout tournament could help save bush footy
A Forbes publican has devised a tournament that could save cash-strapped bush footy clubs. Check out the state of play in your region.
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ARLC chairman Peter V’landys has backed a Forbes publican’s idea to launch an FA Cup style Western Challenge in a bid to help cash-strapped bush football through the coronavirus crisis.
V’landys, a country boy from Wollongong, praised the “outside-the-square thinking” of Matt Coleman, president of the Forbes Magpies rugby league club.
His the Post Office Hotel, which is one of the Magpies’ major sponsors along with the RSL Club, has been closed because of COVID-19 and is only serving takeaway food.
This loss of profit has significantly impacted the football club’s ability to pay registration, insurance and the players.
Some country clubs pay upwards of $8000 a game to put a first-grade side on the field, and that is just the players’ wages.
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Coleman wanted to make a difference, so he designed a Western Challenge concept where teams from Group 11 and 10 are split into three pools.
Teams are placed in pools with their closest neighbours to reduce travel.
At the completion of the preliminary pools, the top two and the highest ranked third placed team of each pool progress to a knockout series.
Coleman penned a letter to the Group 11 board saying, “it is just one bored publican’s idea”, but V’landys rates the outside the square thinking during a time of difficulty.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the gentleman from Forbes that he is coming up with ideas,” V’landys told The Sunday Telegraph.
“That is fantastic and that is the spirit of the game.
“What you look for in leadership is things that he is suggesting. I take my hat off to him and honour him.”
V’landys helped restore regional racing through his Country Championship concept, which was created in 2015 to support and promote NSW racing in regional areas, ensuring that horses from across the state are part of The Championships in Sydney in the autumn.
He believes the NSWRL can learn lessons from his country racing model to return bush footy to its “halcyon” days.
“They (the NSWRL) can because we focused on country racing and it is now in the best position it has ever been in,” he said.
“I think you can’t forget the country. The people that participate in and follow country rugby league also follow the NRL.
“Without them you don’t have a big audience base.
“When I was a kid the group grand finals were big events in each area, and I was a big fan.
“The games used to get 1000s of people attending and we want to get back to that.
“One of the reasons I took on the role as a commissioner was because of my passion for country rugby league and I have utter confidence in Dave Trodden and George Peponis and their board at NSWRL to look after country rugby league.”
Coleman may be a “bored publican” from Forbes, but he is the face of a country community showcasing initiative to defy the financial odds and not only play football in 2020 but secure the sport’s long-term survival in the bush.
It comes as the NSWRL this week announced July 18 has a potential restart for grassroots football.
The date has provided hope, but bush clubs remain worried as they require fans for revenue through gate takings and the canteen for profit.
This could change if the government lifts restrictions on social gatherings to at least 500 people, but for now clubs are concerned about how they can financially survive.
As a result, players across all country competitions will have to take significant pay cuts to lighten the load on clubs.
The NSWRL have also sent a proposal to the clubs stating that bush football could go amateur in 2020.
Group 11 secretary Paul Loxley fears the unprecedented circumstances could “knock a few teams out”, especially smaller clubs that rely on closed pubs for sponsorship.
Illawarra
Snapshot: With three big clubs attached to closed leagues clubs, Illawarra manager Chris Bannerman fears football may not be played in 2020.
“We are surveying the clubs about their financial position, including next year, as we don’t want to force anyone being in a $30,000 hole,” he said.
Bannerman believes bush competitions may have to adopt the NSWRL’s proposal to be amateur this year.
“That might mean that some of the better players choose not to play,” he said. “That could mean we don’t have a reserve grade and we just run one grade for a season, which could be the most likely scenario.”
Teams: Wests Illawarra, Thirroul Butchers, Dapto Canaries, Collegians, Berkeley Eagles, Helensburgh Tigers, Corrimal Cougars
Newcastle
Snapshot: All eight clubs want to play this season in some capacity, even into the summer months.
“What rules say we have to finish by October?” one official said. “We have to think outside the square. Maybe find new sponsors and play in the summer in twilight.”
Most Newcastle clubs have big leagues clubs as sponsors, which has placed huge financial pressure on teams. This will result in significant pay cuts, especially for players earning up to $1000 a game.
“We will find out who has a love for the game, or their sole motivation is money,” another official said.
There is also concern in the Newcastle competition about a decline in male participation in the past years.
Teams: Central Charlestown Butcher Boys, Cessnock Goannas, Kurri Kurri Bulldogs, Lakes United Seagulls, Macquarie Scorpions, Maitland Pickers, South Newcastle Lions, Western Suburbs Rosellas
Northern Rivers
Snapshot: Pay cuts will be on the table as officials work on innovative ways to play a reduced season.
But as one official said, football in 2020 will all come down to the government lifting mass gathering restrictions to at least 500 people as a minimum so groups can run their gate and canteen for profit.
“I can’t see the game being played if the crowds are restricted,” an official said. “No way we would expect our volunteers to police that issue.”
The smaller teams such as Ballina, which rely on two pubs for sponsorship, could struggle if there are no fans.
Teams: Ballina Seagulls, Byron Bay Red Devils, Casino Cougars, Cudgen Hornets, Evans Head Bombers, Kyogle Turkeys, Lismore Marist Brothers Rams, Lower Clarence Magpies, Mullumbimby Giants, Murwillumbah Mustangs, Northern United Dirrawongs, Tweed Coast Raiders
Group 2
Snapshot: The competition is already reeling after the Orara Valley Axemen folded due to lack of player numbers in the off-season.
This reduced the competition to just six teams, making it difficult to have a meaningful season if it is shortened and most clubs make the finals.
Like most groups, a host of teams are struggling financially, so they desperately need crowds to return to start ticking over their finances.
Teams: Bellingen Dorrigo Magpies, Coffs Harbour Comets, Grafton Ghosts, Macksville Sea Eagles, Sawtell Panthers, South Grafton Rebels, Woolgoolga Seahorses
Group 3
Snapshot: Difficult year financially and mentally for NSW’s mid-north coast after the devastating bushfires.
Now clubs are dealing with the forced closure of pubs and clubs that sponsor most teams.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal a Group 3 official has already emailed country officials indicating they won’t be playing in 2020, but a final decision will be left to the clubs.
Senior men’s numbers in the region have also dropped off in the past three years.
Teams: Forster Tuncurry Hawks, Macleay Valley Mustangs, Old Bar Beach Pirates, Port City Breakers, Port Macquarie Sharks, Taree City Bulls, Wauchope Blues, Wingham Tigers
Group 4
Snapshot: Question marks hang over the financial future of several teams — particularly the small community-based team of Dungowan, whose major sponsor is a pub. Unlike most other teams, the club also doesn’t pay its players, so they have told group officials they won’t play if there are no fans.
Werris Creek are in the same position, which could drop the competition down to six teams.
Officials are working on a reduced season where every team plays each other once and everyone makes the finals.
Teams: North Tamworth Bears, Werris Creek Magpies, Narrabri Blues, Kootingal-Moonbi Roosters, Gunnedah Bulldogs, Dungowan Cowboys, Boggabri Kangaroos, Moore Boars
Groups 6 and 7
Snapshot: Looking at a reduced competition where teams play each other once and then the finals. Most clubs have copped financial hits through sponsors. The clubs are waiting to receive direction from group officials before making decisions on 2020. This will be made harder in Group 7, with several teams still recovering financially from the bushfires.
Group 6: Camden Rams, Campbelltown City Kangaroos, Mittagong Lions, Moss Vale Dragons, Narellan Jets, Oakdale Workers, Picton Magpies, The Oaks Tigers, Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters
Group 7: Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles, Berry-Shoalhaven Heads Magpies, Gerringong Lions, Jamberoo Superoos, Kiama Knights, Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs, Nowra-Bomaderry Jets, Shellharbour Sharks, Stingrays of Shellharbour, Warilla-Lake South Gorillas
Group 19
Snapshot: Moree Boomerangs opted out with both their teams this season due to coronavirus concerns — their community’s large indigenous population put them his risk.
The league had moved to a two-conference system in 2020, but the logistics of this setup will be tested due to the outbreak as they look at a reduced season.
Teams Armidale, Narwan, Guyra, Glen Innes, Tenterfield, Tingha and Boomerangs 2, Inverell, Ashford, Warialda, Bingara, MacIntyre, Bundarra and Boomerangs 1
Group 21
Snapshot: Six teams are ready to compete in 2020 after Muswellbrook’s return from reserve grade, but their chances of playing this season remain unclear with sponsors struggling financially.
Most teams have players employed in shift work in the mines. If players are required to work, officials fear it could wipe out half of the competition’s senior playing group.
Teams: Singleton Greyhounds, Muswellbrook Rams, Aberdeen Tigers, Scone Thoroughbreds, Denman Devils, Greta-Branxton Colts
Canberra, Group 20, Group 16, Group 9
Snapshot: Officials are looking at a reduced competition where teams play each other once and then the finals.
At this stage, the clubs are waiting advice from group officials before making decisions on their competition direction for 2020.
Junee Diesels president Simon Vanzanten says the club could sit out the season if their two major sponsors don’t re-open.
The Diesels, the junior club of Canberra legend Laurie Daley, are sponsored by licensed venues that are closed.
“Realistically we can’t play again unless our major sponsors open, but we want to do everything in our power to have some football,” says Vanzanten, who has been laid off his job as an NRL development officer and is surviving on the government’s Job Keeper program.
“If restrictions are lifted enough to have crowds and gates, we’d look at alternative concepts like a nines tournament.”
It is a challenging time for bush football, but Vanzanten believes the sport can learn valuable lessons through adversity.
“The spending in the bush has been out of control and this is going to help us because people will realise that we can’t keep paying that type of big money for player wages,” he said.
“All our players might not play for money this year, which could be a good thing to make it more community based.”
Group 16 is particularly vulnerable after last summer’s devastating bushfires on the NSW south coast.
The group will also look at a similar FA Cup-style combining of competitions such as the Western Division proposal being floated in Group 10 and 11.
Group 20: Yanco-Wamoon Hawks, Darlington Point-Coleambally Roosters, Griffith Black and White Panthers, Griffith Waratah Tigers, Hay Magpies, Leeton Greenies, Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo Sharks, West Wyalong Mallee Men, Yenda Blueheelers
Canberra: Belconnen United Sharks, Goulburn Workers Bulldogs, Gungahlin Bulls, Queanbeyan United Blues, Queanbeyan Kangaroos, Tuggeranong Bushrangers, West Belconnen Warriors, Woden Valley Rams, Yass Magpies
Group 9: Albury Thunder, Cootamundra Bulldogs, Gundagai Tigers, Junee Diesels, South City Bulls, Temora Dragons, Tumut Blues, Wagga Wagga Brothers, Wagga Wagga Kangaroos, Young Cherrypickers
Group 16: Bega Roosters, Bombala Blue Heelers, Candelo-Bemboka Panthers, Cooma Stallions, Eden Tigers, Merimbula-Pambula Bulldogs, Moruya Sharks, Narooma Devils, Tathra Sea Eagles, Batemans Bay Tigers
Group 10:
Snapshot: There is uncertainty around the Cowra Magpies and the Blayney Bears partaking in a shortened season.
The Magpies will struggle for players, while the Bears are waiting to see how many rounds the 2020 season will have before committing.
The competition is already down one team with the Oberon Tigers going back to the Midwest Cup.
Teams: Bathurst Panthers, Bathurst St Pat’s, Blayney Bears, Cowra Magpies, Lithgow Workies, Mudgee Dragons, Orange CYMS, Orange Hawks
Group 11
Snapshot: Clubs are determined to play in some capacity, but it will all depend on mass gathering restrictions being lifted to allow fans as a source of revenue.
Clubs such as Narromine face uncertainty over sponsors being unable to fulfil their financial commitments for 2020.
Group 11 are also looking at a proposal to play a Western Division competition against Group 10, with the winners in each group playing off in a finals series.
Teams: Dubbo CYMS, Dubbo Macquarie, Wellington Cowboys, Forbes Magpies, Narromine Jets, Parkes Spacemen, Nyngan Tigers
Central Coast:
Snapshot: Officials are looking at a reduced competition. Most clubs have copped financial hits through sponsors such as leagues clubs and pubs. At this stage, the clubs are waiting to receive direction from group officials.
Teams: Berkeley Vale, Wyong, Kincumber, Toukley, Ourimbah, Terrigal, The Entrance, Northern Lakes, Woy Woy, Erina
Originally published as NRL 2020: Forbes knockout tournament could help save bush footy