After a successful 2019 campaign that resulted in three premierships across five grades, Bathurst Bulldogs will look to assert itself as the biggest club in Central West Rugby in 2020 as it plans to enter teams in the New Holland Cup.
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That would mean the old and famous rivalry between CSU could be reignited, a match-up that hasn't been contested since the 2017 Blowes Clothing Cup season.
At Friday night's annual general meeting, returning president Greg Reid said the club intends to enter two Bulldogs side into the New Holland Cup, with one in first grade and another in second grade.
"We're looking to change our operating model and put two teams in first grade and second grade, which is really exciting," he said.
"We would put a first and second grade team in Blowes Clothing Cup and we're also going to put two teams into the New Holland Cup."
New Holland Cup - the second tier in the Central West Rugby competition structure - has played host to Bulldogs' rivals CSU for the last two seasons.
Bulldogs and CSU had traditionally played in the Blowes Clothing Cup, until a re-structure at the end of the 2017 season saw the creation of a two-tier system, with CSU relegated to the bottom level.
Reid said the decision to nominate teams for the New Holland Cup came about due to the a number of forfeits from other teams in both third grade and colts.
"Third grade has been under the demise for quite some time, which is unfortunate. I love third grade and it's the heart and soul of the club," he said.
"Colts has also struggled for that age group for other towns, seeing a lot of forfeits.
"We saw in the best interest of our club, providing more consistent and high lever rugby, we'd try this operating model.
"We'd rekindle our cross-town rivalry with CSU, which will be great."
In reflection, Reid said the 2019 was one of the most successful season's in the club's 145-year history.
"We've been around since 1874 but it was probably the most successful year in the club's history," he said.
"Five grades in the grand final, hosting the grand final for the first time since 2002 and it was a huge financial windfall hosting the grand final. I think we had about 2800 come to it.
"It was just a real fitting end to a great season. We're hoping to leverage that going into the 2020 season and strive to go back-to-back."
In the lead up to the 2020 season, Reid said the clubs plans to work on several upgrades to the facilities, including lightning and canteen.
"We are in the process of upgrading our lighting. We're getting new LED lighting to play night games," he said.
"Our lighting was abysmal really, like Candlestick Park really. We've put in a fair bit of money ourselves, to help get that project over the line.
"We're also upgrading the canteen, it needs a makeover."
Reid also said he's pleased that the Bulldogs club doesn't pay anyone - whether player or volunteer.
"I'm really pleased we don't pay anyone," he said.
"Trying to run a club and pay players in the bush, for me, it just doesn't work well.
"The sponsors would rather the money go into your club and infrastructure, to benefits patrons and players."
Bulldogs won the first grade, third grade and women's premierships in 2019, while suffering defeats to Orange Emus and Dubbo Kangaroos in seconds and colts respectively.
At the annual general meeting on Friday night, Reid returned as president, while Brian Roberson and Pip McIntosh were named vice-presidents.
2020 Bathurst Bulldogs committee:
- PRESIDENT: Greg Reid
- VICE-PRESIDENTS: Brian Roberson, Pip McIntosh
- TREASURER: Mat Sharwood
- SECRETARY: Nick Hart
- REGISTRAR: Greg Carr
- CLUB CAPTAIN: Kurt Weekes
- ASSISTANT TREASURER: Justin Mobbs
- ASSISTANT SECRETARY: James Horsbrough
- COMMITTEE: Shane Cantrill, Lily McIntosh, Ali Stanford, Kate Gullifer, Mark Donnelly, Adam Hart, Dean Oxley, Tyler Cooke
- SPECIAL PROJECTS: Murray Roberson
- SOCIAL MEDIA: Marita Shoulders