THE Macleay Mustangs are currently in talks with Group 3 Rugby League, Country Rugby League and all of the Group 3 Rugby League clubs to secure their position in the 2016 season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Mustangs were excluded from the 2015 competition by the Group 3 Rugby League management in October 2014 after losing all criteria points following incidents during the season.
After some last ditch efforts by the Mustangs committee to be reinstated into the League before the start of the 2015 season, Group 3 Rugby League president Wayne Bridge informed the Club their protests fell on deaf ears.
“The Macleay Mustangs put their case to all the clubs and committee and then it was put to a secret ballot,” Mr Bridge said at the time.
“Unfortunately, the ballot was 15 to 5 against the Macleay Valley entering the Group 3 competition. “
In early September, Mr Bridge called on clubs to listen to what Macleay Valley has to say when the Club seeks to gain a place in the 2016 competition at the group’s annual meeting on Sunday, November 15 at the Wingham Services Club.
In the September edition of Rugby League Week, Group 3 secretary, Barrie Smith, was asked what areas the Mustangs need to improve to be accepted back into the competition.
“Discipline on the field and to clean up their administration,’’ Mr Smith said.
With less than two months before Group 3 Rugby League make a decision as to wether to let the Mustangs back into the League, the Macleay Argus asked Mustangs secretary, Bruce Cain, what has been done to bring the local side back onto the field.
“We would like to bring an entirely professional outlook to the Mustangs in 2016,” Cain said.
“We are currently putting all new policies and procedures in place that have never been there before and run the game from a 21st centaury perspective.
“Our first move however was to look at our structure and bring new blood into the Mustangs committee.”
In early September, the Mustangs held the annual AGM and a number of new committee members came on board including a new president and treasurer and a new first grade and reserve grade coach.
“We have got Steve Moir as our president who is well established in the local business community and is well known and respected throughout the town,” Cain said.
“We have Maxine Mackenzie as our new treasurer and she has been involved as secretary and treasurer with the Show Society and is again well known around town.
“It is really important to establish a good base with the committee so that everyone can have confidence in moving forward and get us back into playing the competition.
“One of the issues that came out of Group 3 Rugby League was strength in our committee and I believe that is what we have done and we also now have a new coaching structure.
“Sam Howe is now the first grade coach and Sam Drew is now the new reserve grade coach.
“They are new to coaching but both of them have played the game in the Macleay Valley and Sam Howe is such a great person in the eyes of the town in terms of football and I believe he personifies the Mustangs.”
In a meeting earlier this year, the Mustangs asked Group 3 Rugby League what they needed to do to get back into the competition.
“We were told to get the support from the other clubs,” Cain said.
“We have asked all of the clubs if we could meet with them individually and discuss the issues and to let them know what moves we have made to rectify any of the issues.
“We have already had meeting with the Port Breakers, the Old Bar Pirates and the Wauchope Blues.
“The meetings have been positive and we are definitely working on any of the issues the clubs may have.”
One of the consequences of being knocked out of the 2015 competition was the loss of the players with many of the Mustangs moving on and playing for other clubs locally and up and down the entire Mid North Coast.
Mr Cain said he hopes many of the players will come back to the Mustangs, but he admits that most likely many will stay where they are only to become opposition players in the 2016 season.
“We won’t be paying the players this season,” Cain said.
“What this means is that those that do come and play will be playing for the Club and town only.
“From what we have been hearing there is definitely players that want to play for us again, but until we are back in the competition and start signing players we don’t know exactly who or how many players will be taking to the field in 2016.”
Despite the issues and the uncertain future of the Mustangs, Cain said he expect the mustangs to run out on the field in 2016.
“I see a very bright future for the Mustangs, Cain said.
“There is such a wealth of talent in all sports in Kempsey and the natural talent that comes through from junior to senior is something to be admired.
“We are not a big town but we keep on producing champion athletes no matter what the sport and one of the main reasons to get back out on the ground is to allow juniors to have a future and the Mustangs can be a big part in providing that future.”