Change is coming to bush footy and NSW Rugby League (NSWRL) boss David Trodden has urged clubs in the region to embrace it.
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Talk around structure of competitions in the Western Rams area has been rife since the One State NSWRL Strategic Plan was announced by the state's governing body at the end of last month.
One of the objectives in that plan was the restructure of the state into six zones which preserve historical structures but create more efficient competition possibilities.
There's no details surrounding changes to the Group 11 or neighbouring Group 10 competitions in 2021 but it is believed a proposal relating to a possible western-wide competition is in the works.
And NSWRL chief executive Trodden, speaking to Dubbo's Daily Liberal, has now confirmed things will look different in the future.
"I think there's a reasonable prospect that over the next few years that there will be innovation in relation to competition structure," he said.
"We may not get straight to the final solution in our first crack at it but I know out there (Western) that there is huge potential to do things better than we have been doing in past years so it's certainly what we'll be working towards."
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Trodden added he expects more specifics to be announced in the coming weeks to provide some certainty for the region's clubs.
It is believed Group 11 clubs will meet to discuss the matter prior to the scheduled annual general meeting on November 8.
Talk around a possible Western League and the merging of Group 11 and Group 10 is nothing new.
The success of the Western Youth League under 18s competition this year sparked it again but it is always spoken about with some hesitation within some clubs in what is the largest association in the state.
Talk around potential tiers and changes often creates fears some clubs will be pushed into lower divisions or forced to travel great distances but Trodden said there's no need to fear what's coming.
"I don't think anybody should be frightened of change," he said.
"It may be that there are some solutions that are not better for some and worse for others but better for everyone.
"If we can get the competition balance of competitions right then competitions for everyone therefore become more attractive and if the competitions are better than people will want to play longer, as well.
"The object is not to have winners and losers in this whole exercise. It's for everyone to be a winner and for the game to be a winner."
The Western Rams region currently has the Group 11, Group 10, Castlereagh League, Woodbridge Cup, and Wallerawang Landscaping Cup senior competitions.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
