Central West Rugby Union chief executive officer Peter Veenstra says it’s highly unlikely the Blowes Clothing Cup’s colts age group will be bumped out to under 20s despite a petition for change from Charles Sturt University Bathurst.
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As of Friday morning, the students have nearly 400 signatures on a petition designed to change the colts age restriction from under 19s to under 20s.
CSU Bathurst is battling for under 19s players, club captain Charlie McIntosh declaring the lowering of the age group – which came into power in 2016 – was effectively killing his club's chance of fielding a side.
But Veenstra was defiant, warning the Mitchell Men not to play the blame game ahead of round one of the 2017 season, which kicks off on April 1.
“It was discussed at length at the (annual general meeting) in November and nine of the 10 clubs in attendance agreed that under 19s would be the age,” Veenstra said.
The only club that didn’t agree with the under 19s bracket at the AGM was CSU Bathurst.
Orange Emus was the only Blowes Clothing Cup club without representatives at the AGM.
“I can’t wear CSU don’t have enough players for a team. They were in last year’s grand final,” Veenstra continued.
“I suspect there’s a problem within the club.
“We’ve bent over backwards to ensure each club can field a colts side. Games can be played as 10-a-side. We’ve done our level best to help clubs out.”
Veenstra said the pathway throughout junior rugby competitions indicated 19s would be the best age cap for its senior colts competition.
Wallas competitions are run in under 7s, under 9s and under 11s age groups.
I can’t wear CSU don’t have enough players for a team ... I suspect there’s a problem within the club.
- CWRU CEO Peter Veenstra
The Central West Junior Rugby Union runs its competitions under the under 13s, under 15s and under 17s banners.
“The natural progression for our colts competition is then 19s,” he said.
“The general consensus was under 20s was too big a jump for players coming out of that under 17s age group.”
Veenstra wouldn’t comment on the petition, but was adamant the only club set to kick-off the Blowes Clothing Cup season with an issue with colts is CSU.
McIntosh indicated “it’s not just us having trouble, I know that” – the 375 signatures on his petition at time of print to raise the age to under 20s might agree.
Even so, Veenstra said it’s almost certain no alteration to age groups will occur in 2017.
“I can’t see there being a change, not at this point. Any decision that is made will be brought before the board and I can’t see them agreeing to it.”
He didn’t agree the colts competition was stronger at under 20s.
“I don’t think so,” Veenstra said.
“It’s always had a couple of clubs that have struggled for numbers but things change each season.”
Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
