BATHURST Bulldogs are determined to prove a point in season 2020 and now it looks as if they will get the chance to do just that with a July target set for the resumption of rugby.
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It was announced by NSW Rugby Union on Friday evening that the month of July is their target for a return to community rugby competitions, such as those run under the Central West Rugby Union banner.
Like fellow Bathurst club CSU, who play in the second tier New Holland Cup, Bulldogs will begin 2020 as defending premiers.
They claimed last season's Blowes Clothing Cup with a hard fought 27-24 win against Orange Emus at Ashwood Park. It was Bulldogs' first top grade title since 2010.
Bulldogs' first XV have not won consecutive premierships since their run in 1998-97-96. It means going back-to-back this year is very much the target.
"Absolutely we had our heart set on defending the title and trying to create what Emus and [Orange] City had a few years ago, to win a few in a row," Bulldogs president Greg Reid said.
"We want to prove it wasn't a fluke, you want to try and back it up when you haven't won one in a while with another victory.
"It's been a long, long time, so it's definitely on our bucket list to go back-to-back.
"Someone asked me the other day if it would be a hollow victory if we didn't play the full comp - as long as you've got the trophy in your hands, that's the main thing."
The Bathurst clubs were meant to begin their season 2020 campaigns on April 18, but the coronavirus pandemic led to Rugby Australia suspending all community rugby until at least June 1.
While the suspension of play will almost certainly extend beyond that, NSWRU setting a July target is good news.
"Our unions will work with all areas of community rugby to assist them to return to the field safely and expeditiously, while adhering to all relevant government requirements," Paul Doorn, the NSWRU chief executive officer, said,
The NSWRU statement stressed that any return to play is subject to "state and local governments lifting or significantly easing restrictions related to COVID-19".
It is something Reid is aware of, but says he is "cautiously optimistic".
"We know it can change quickly ... but now it does sound like we could get some sort of season in. It means we can start to make some plans around what sort of comp structure we would run," he said.
"As a club we can start to then, with our different club structures, see what what we can do at training how we get people fit in a short amount of time and start to focus on those sort of things."
It is not just senior rugby which could return in July, but junior competitions as well. That is good news for those involved with the Bathurst Junior Rugby Club.
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"We are cognisant of the advice of the medical staff and coaches, particularly in regards to junior players," the statement from NSWRU said.
"To assist age appropriate guidelines and session plans for preparing to re-start play are being prepared."
Central West Rugby Union posted on its Facebook page that it "will continue to liaise directly with our clubs to ensure a positive result for our clubs and the game."
NSWRU will provide another update next month.
