BATHURST Panthers president Brett Bennett said there's a bit of buzz back in the club's ranks after their junior age groups were given the green light to prepare for the upcoming season.
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The premier league side may have missed out on the opportunity to go for a third straight title in 2020 but their competitive junior age groups still have the chance to chase glory following the decision from Group 10 to run the younger grades.
The club will be keen to bounce back after a quieter 2019 in junior circles, where their under 18s came close to scoring the crown before being denied in the grand final by local rivals St Pat's.
Bennett said it's a wonderful result that the club's future stars will have the chance to still play in some capacity.
"It keeps the game ticking along and gets them out of the house. Brings back a bit of normality for them," he said.
"They'll all be very keen to play. They're ready to get into training, and I know the under 18s boys are very keen to get started."
The under 18s have lost several key players from their side but will still be a team to watch in the proposed combined Group 10-11 competition.
Bennett said the side should still fare strongly.
"It's going to be a new look team, really," he said.
"A couple of the guys have moved on to bigger and better things in Sydney but a few of them around here are going to be into their second year and will be very handy."
Bennett also gave special mention to the girls' under 18s league tag competition, which has also been given the all clear to go ahead in 2020.
The president believes the recently formed competition would have suffered a major setback if it were to come to a stop this year.
"That competition is still going to go ahead and we've been busy getting everything in place so we can start it up," he said.
"It's only a new competition and having it cancelled could have put a sword right through it," he said.