By Tallon Smith

Despite the concerted efforts of many local rugby league figures throughout the past few weeks and star signing in the off-field department, the Griffith Waratah Tigers have finally fallen on their sword, announcing they will not participate in Group 20 football this season via a statement released last Wednesday night. 

The club, who Battlers For Bush Footy just last week announced had signed former Fiji Bati World Cup Coach Joe Dakuitoga as the Director of Coaching for 2023, decided that they did not have sufficient playing numbers to enter the competition in any grade in 2023, after losing many players to rival clubs in what has become quite a volatile player market.

The club statement released by club President Robert Nascimben read “A meeting was held last night and we the committee have all voted that the Griffith Waratah tigers RLFC will go into recess for the 2023 season due to the fact of that we will not be able to field any senior […] sides this year due to lack of players not committed or not coming to training.”

“It was not a easy decision, and I would like to thank our major sponsor and all of our other sponsors as well.”

Nascimben also went on to say that he was “gutted” for the local rugby league community.

“I am gutted, not just for me but rugby league, the Tahs and wider community as well that will be affected by this,” he said.

“We will looking at rebuilding for the 2024 season and beyond.”

This marked a stark turnaround for the club, who just last week were optimistic about their chances of getting on the paddock this season.

“We’ve still got three weeks [and] we’re still trying to field five grades,” Nascimben said when interviewed by Battlers For Bush Footy about Dakuitoga’s signing.

The Waratah Tigers are the latest club to join the list of those in recess for 2023, including the Albion Park Outlaws, Binalong Brahmans, Bundarra Bears, Culburra Beach, Manilla Tigers, Orara Valley Axemen, Port Kembla Blacks, Sussex Inlet Panthers and the Trangie Magpies.

This is in addition to regular First Grade sides Cowra, Gunning, Helensburgh, Tumbarumba, and Wagga Brothers all withdrawing their top grade team in 2023.

Cross-town rivals Griffith Black & Whites will carry on the flame for rugby league in the town for 2023, fielding both a First and Reserve Grade side. 

The Waratah Tigers juniors will continue to play in Group 20 Junior League. Registrations can be made on the playrugbyleague.com website by searching ‘Griffith Waratah Tigers’.