THEY have been stuck in neutral for months, but it will finally be a case of "full speed ahead" when the Group 10 Junior Rugby League competitions for 2020 kick-off this weekend.
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Juniors from the under 6s through to under 16s will finally take to the field for an eight-round regular season, the minis and competitive tackle games set for Saturday and league tag fixtures for Sunday.
There will be a host of derbies across the two days - Bathurst clubs St Pat's, Eglinton and Panthers to square off in many age divisions - and Group 10 JRL vice-president Shane Earsman expects all games to be hotly contested.
"It's a short season, but it's going to be full speed ahead. There are no breaks, just eight straight rounds, it will be full-on, there'll be kids out there who want to give their absolutes guts to get into the finals," he said.
"It will be competitive, a lot of the coaches, even though we haven't had the ability for a lot of them to have normal training sessions, they have been putting things together via social media for their teams - exercise drills, fitness drills, hand-eye co-ordination drills.
"That highlights not only the coach's commitment to their teams, but the overall game.
"We have got some local derbies in competitive ages groups, we've got Pat's taking on Panthers, so that's always exciting."
Earsman praised the hard work that not only the Group 10 JRL committee, but member clubs have put into implementing their COVID-19 plans to ensure that the competitions can go ahead.
A limited number of spectators will be permitted as well, with Earsman urging people to be patient and adhere to all guidelines.
"There is provision at each ground for spectators, each club has put their social distancing plans into place which have to meet the national guidelines for sporting events and sporting facilities," he said.
"Obviously it still won't be like regular games with everyone around, but there will be plenty of access for people to see the games, be it from their cars or at a designated safe distance. Overall that short term pain will be a long-term gain to get the kids back out and playing footy.
"It's an old cliche, but prevention is better than a cure."
That goal to see as many kids playing football as possible means Group 10 JRL has also introduced a new provision this season. Players who have been left without a team at their regular club still have the chance to participate.
"One of the other exciting things we've got is that those clubs who weren't able to get teams in for one reason or anther, there's an inclusion for this year where players can apply to Group 10 to get a clearance to go and play for another club," Earsman said.
"Some of our smaller clubs around the region who weren't able to facilitate teams, those players were still keen to play and they can now go to other clubs and get a game.
"It's common sense ... it's all about the kids getting in and having a game of footy in 2020."
