By Tallon Smith

The Griffith Waratah RLFC has yesterday announced its Annual General Meeting will be held at the Griffith Exies Sports Club on Tuesday, July 25 commencing at 6pm.

After sitting out the 2023 season, the club is planning a triumphant return to the playing field next season, and is a realistic chance of fielding sides in four of the five Senior grades in their 60th year.

Waratahs Club President Robert Nascimben says that the club is right on track to return in 2024, possibly even in a stronger position than in 2022.

“Rugby league needs a club like the Waratahs back from recess in 2024, and Griffith needs the Waratahs back in 2024, so the lovers of rugby league can watch the local derbies against the Black and Whites and Yenda,” he said.

“My goal and the goal of our small committee is to repay our supporters and sponsors that have helped us throughout the years and keep the game of rugby league going even stronger in Griffith.”

One area of particular importance to Nascimben and the committee throughout the return to play process has been getting ‘Old Boys’ involved and leveraging the grand history of the club, which includes a Group 20 record 13 premierships.

“The club has a proud history,” Nascimben said.

“Players from the club that have gone on to play for play in the NRL, and for Country, NSW and Australia, as well as a few other local names that come to mind include Ray Brown, Lenny Bertoldo, Geoff Foster, Bobby Priest, Brian Rosetto, Michael Scarfone, Garb Saunders, Michael Henderson, Andrew Fifita and Ben Jeffery.

“We have had a great mix of age groups attend our reunion meetings and I have spoken with quite a few ex-players in the past few months and they all have indicated they would like to help out in 2024 in getting this club playing in Group 20.”

Another strength of the club’s future planning is their strong junior base, with their affiliate junior club fielding sides in all junior grades in 2023.

“We have a great junior club run by Robert Donovan and we are working closely with him and hi committee to bring the juniors up to the 16s.”

The club is hoping for a big turnout at the AGM, with anyone interested encouraged to attend to have their say on matters involving the club and stand for vacant positions within the club.

All enquiries are to be forwarded to President Robert Nascimben or via the club Facebook page.