DUBBO Rhinos president Ian Burns admits he finds it "bizarre" some of the big clubs with Central West Rugby Union (CWRU) are working together to change the make-up of the region's competitions.
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The CWRU will meet next week to negotiate and confirm the proposed changes to the Blowes Clothing Cup and Graincorp Cup after a receiving feedback from a number of clubs.
Those clubs, dubbed the "big four" of Bathurst Bulldogs, Orange City, Orange Emus and the Dubbo Kangaroos, are against proposed changes which would see the Dubbo Rhinos return to the central west's premier competition and third grade and colts sides become optional for Blowes Clothing Cup clubs.
Burns and the Rhinos only discovered these behind-the-scenes rumblings on Monday.
A meeting was held that day at Parkes involving a number of the central west's smaller clubs, after they discovered the "big four" met recently to hold their own meeting to draft a letter to send to the CWRU regarding the proposed changes.
"It was very interesting, we were invited to a last-minute meeting at Parkes and presented with the letter, written from Bathurst, and we were very taken aback by some of the suggestions and ideas," Burns said.
"There was a separate meeting, at Bathurst I believe, between some towns and teams who want to make Blowes have four sides, a first, second, thirds and colts, but over half the other clubs, who weren't invited to that meeting, disagree and think instead of trying to strip the competition back there should be more effort in promoting and developing towns who are struggling for numbers."
The plan devised by the "big four" is reportedly one in which six sides, themselves plus the Mudgee Wombats and CSU Bathurst, play Blowes with sides in all four grades.
Another part of the letter stated some of the smaller clubs should merge with larger clubs with the Geurie Goats one example, with it reportedly stated they should join with either of the Dubbo sides, something Burns said he and many others are fiercely against.
The CWRU announced in September the Rhinos would be returning to the Blowes Clothing Cup in 2016, the first time since 2012.
While next week's meeting will officially confirm any changes, Burns said his club has no doubt they will be playing in the premier competition next season and said preparation is already in place.
"As far as we're concerned, Central West said we are accepted into the Blowes Cup and we're confident the Central West board was leaning that way and keeping Blowes the way they had proposed, with first and second grade sides and thirds and colts only if you have them," he said, before speaking about his own club.
"We've had a couple of really good quality players come along to training already and we're keeping the majority of players from last season onboard and with the likes of Manbir Mann and Sam McLeod coming in plus these new guys it's good and there's some buzz around and the feeling of let's really give this a go."
The CWRU will meet next Tuesday.