By Tallon Smith

In a major shock, the Deniliquin Blue Heelers have announced they are looking to end almost 50 years in the rugby league wilderness and return to the playing field, after a steering committee was formed this week in an attempt to restart rugby league activity in the town.

Apart from a brief period in the 2000s when the Deniliquin Raiders entered the Victorian Rugby League’s Goulburn Murray competition, the town has had little to nothing in the way of rugby league since the Blue Heelers left the Group 17 competition in the mid 1970s, just over four years after winning a hat-trick of titles from 1969-71.

Founder of the steering committee and current Darlington Point-Coleambally reserve grader Kurt Longford said that he was inspired to restart the club after learning of its rich history, and is planning big things for the side’s potential return.

“I would love nothing more than to bring back the game,” he said.

“[I want to create] a family friendly atmosphere and a good, successful, winning club.

“Bringing rugby league back to Deniliquin is crucial [for the game in the area].”

Regarding the idea of joining Deniliquin’s already burgeoning sporting community, which includes two Australian rules clubs (being so close to Victoria), a soccer club, a cricket club, and a recently re-formed First Grade rugby union side, Longford said he has already began making enquiries to ensure cooperation and a spirit of collaboration amongst the different codes.

“We’ve got permission to use the same ground as the Deni Drovers,” he said, regarding a proposed groundshare arrangement with the rugby union club.

“[Having rugby league back] grows businesses and grows the game [through sponsorship] and it gives blokes another game to have a crack at.

“They’re very happy to work with me.”

Longford said he prefers playing in NRL Victoria’s Goulburn Murray Premiership over the other potential option of playing as Hay’s reserves side in Group 20, as this would allow the club to field a ladies’ league tag team.

“A few girls are keen to get a league tag side going,” he said.

“That’s why we’re thinking about the Goulburn Murray Premiership.

“I am looking at travel though, [and if] we are going to get accepted.”

As for the timeframe, Longford said he is not fazed as to whether or not it is in 2024 or 2025 the team returns to the field, and he has already planned a strategy to increase the likelihood of success in the venture.

“[We are looking at] having a couple of invitational trial games, [then] try and get into the Murray Cup next year,” he said.

“When we have meetings [in the near future], people can bring ideas to the table.

“[We’re trying] to get a committee going.”

“[I also want to continue to] raise autism awareness [within the club like at DPC].”

Interested parties can keep up to date by joining the club’s Facebook group here.