MATT Tink knows altering draws is almost inevitable if the 2020 Central West Rugby Union competitions go ahead, but he is still intent on making sure grand final day is a pinnacle.
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At the moment Rugby Australia has suspended all community rugby until at least June 1, meaning the planned April 18 Central West Rugby Union season openers did no go ahead.
At this stage Tink, the Central West Rugby Union chief executive officer, is unsure when - or if - play will resume.
But if CWRU is given the green light to stage the Blowes Cup, New Holland Cup, Oilsplus Cup, South West competition and three women's premierships, Tink is adamant they will still be "meaningful".
"I've spoken to a few presidents and a few players and people just want to play rugby. Look it's my job to deliver that, a good rugby experience not just for players, but for everyone else," he said.
"So we will do everything in our power to ensure there is some sort of meaningful competition this year.
"The New Holland Cup and Blowes Cup are basically three rounds of five games, so we could quite easily drop off a round and just play each other home and away.
"If things go on longer than that, we'll just play each other once."
Even if Tink is forced to cut the season so it won't feature home and away games against each side, he is determined to make playing on grand final day just as prestigious in 2020 as it has been in the past.
He knows just how much a premiership means not only to players, but fans, coaches, club officials and sponsors. It is an experience he does not want to see denied.
"I think people play country rugby to have fun with their mates, but also to win premierships," he said.
"Everyone raves about how great grand final day is, and that's in all sports, that's why you do it, that's why you come out of your nice, warm home and go to training.
"Grand final day is really important, so I think that's our role with Central West rugby, to provide that opportunity."
Last year's Blowes Cup grand final day at Bathurst's Ashwood Park which featured five deciders drew a huge number of spectators.
The atmosphere was something special and that is why Tink will make grand final day for season 2020 a priority as well.
"It was a huge day and effectively it was only three clubs there, imagine if we had a few more clubs, it could have been even bigger," he said. "For me, the more clubs that experience grand final day the better."
Competition structures and grand final days aside, Tink feels it is important to see rugby played in the region this season given what it means to the community as a whole.
"You look at any Saturday around the Central West, there's a lot of people playing or showing up and watching rugby. It's a great product, it's a great community product and it's played by and supported by really good people," he said.
"For me it's a genuine community sport, it's a great thing we have on our side. That's not discrediting any other sports, there are heaps of sports like that, but we seem to be a bit unique.
"When you talk about rugby, it's family and mates, no doubt about it."
