By Tallon Smith

Rugby league fans around the Macarthur region are in shock after the South West Goannas club were expelled from the competition for next season by the NSWRL and some of the Group 6 clubs. 

The start-up club, who competed in the Macarthur First Grade competition in 2023 and were undefeated premiers in the Gold Conference Competition in 2022, were voted out of the 2024 competition, despite the absence of a reason for the decision.

An email from the NSWRL received by the club on Friday stated that “the results of last night’s [Thursday’s] vote in regard to the club’s submission to participate in the 2024 Premiership competition […] means the club’s submission was unsuccessful.” 

“Despite this, and with numerous conversations had, the NSWRL and Group 6 Rugby League Board are keen to work with the club to build on the 2023 season and your submission for future application to the Premiership competition.”

South West Goannas President Mark Baird said the decision, which threatens the future of his club, simply “doesn’t pass the pub test”.

“They haven’t given a reason,” he said. 

“That’s their reply, no reasons why, just that it wasn’t accepted.

“They’ve continually asked for submissions and information which has been supplied, and then another roadblock would be put in place.”

In another interesting aspect of the story, the decision came after Baird missed that particular meeting due to a longstanding personal commitment, making it all the more blindsiding.

The club has faced difficulties in the past however, with a neighbouring club raising an appeal against the Goannas regarding the location of their training.

“On the club’s original setup, a particular club lodged a complaint about us training inside a different Local Government Area which we weren’t affiliated to,” he said.

“In the process we were notified by NSWRL that if we trained in that area again, we’d be served a breach notice.

“The [NSWRL] have what’s called a train and play policy, that if someone makes a formal complaint about you training outside your area, that then the league can issue you with a warning.”

However, Baird said that other clubs, including the one who made the complaint, have done the same.

“Another club, they have trained at Cronulla Beach,” he said.

As for what next year could hold, Baird said everything is now uncertain, something made all the more heartbreaking given that the club had worked hard to build their roster over the off-season.

“We have no idea what they want us to do, they haven’t said to us we need you to go into [the Second Division (Gold) competition],” he said.

“They did that to us two years ago, asked us to drop down a division, and then clubs forfeited against us because they didn’t want to play against us, we were too strong.

“This year would have been our most competitive year, we signed Greg Eastwood and a number of players to make us more competitive.”

A true bush footy battler from Hay in South West NSW, Baird believes there’s one big reason as to why such a decision could be made.

“It’s the powers that be trying to dictate and dominate people, and you’ll do as you’re told.”

A draft draw for the 2024 season which excludes the club has also been produced, something that raises questions itself given the AGM was just four days ago, including the possibility that there was a concerted effort to remove the club from the competition.

The Group 6 Board and some of the clubs were fully supportive of the Goannas’ cause, and the club is currently exploring all its options in regards to the 2024 season.

The club would also like to note that they appreciate the support they have received from Camden Council in providing a home base and new changing room facilities, which have been key to their growth as a relatively new start-up club.

Appendix: Club Statement

The following is an unedited statement authored by supporters of the South West Rugby League Football Club:

The recent decision to vote out the South West Rugby League Football Club from the 1st grade competition raises concerns regarding fairness and transparency within the governing bodies of the sport. It is disheartening to witness a club that has met all the requirements set by the NSWRL and Group 6 being subjected to a vote by the very clubs they compete against. This situation presents a clear conflict of interest, as opposing teams are unlikely to vote in favor of a rival club. The South West Rugby League Football Club should not have had to undergo this vote if they had fulfilled all the tasks and obligations outlined by the governing body. It is apparent that the club has made significant efforts to meet these requirements, including the withdrawal of their reserve grade whilst ensuring the completion of the 1st grade competition.

In 2022 another club withdrew their senior club including their 1st grade, reserve grade, and under 18’s teams and didn’t have to submit a request to play in the 1st grade competition in 2023. Some clubs who voted also struggled to compete in the reserve grade competition. It is therefore perplexing why their reinstatement was not automatically granted to southwest goannas. Moreover, it is important to highlight that some clubs did not fulfill their obligations, such as completing their AGM and submitting their financial status prior to the Group 6 AGM. According to the rules, clubs failing to meet these requirements should not have the right to vote at an AGM meeting. This raises concerns about the validity of the vote as it seems to be in breach of the Group 6 constitution.

The South West Rugby League Football Club had high hopes for the upcoming season with major signings of international competition players and an improved roster and coaching staff. It is unfortunate that their future has been jeopardized due to the voting process especially considering the chairman of the NSWRL, Mr. David Trodden, expressed a desire to grow the sport in this region. He stated earlier in the year that this region is one of the fastest growing after Penrith. Given the club’s commitment to meeting the set tasks and the potential it holds for the growth of rugby league in the region, it is disappointing to witness their future being decided by a vote influenced by conflicting interests. The governing bodies should reconsider their decision and reassess the club’s reinstatement without subjecting them to a vote that lacks objectivity. In order to ensure fairness and transparency within the sport, it is crucial for governing bodies to uphold the principles they claim to prioritize. The South West Rugby League Football Club deserves a fair evaluation of their efforts and should not be subject to the biases of other clubs. It is imperative that the governing bodies rectify this situation promptly and provide the club with the opportunity they rightfully deserve to participate in the 1st grade competition in 2024.