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Bega Roosters request to leave Group 16 First Grade

May 25, 2023 7:41 am in by

The Bega Roosters are withdrawing from the Group 16 Men’s First Grade competition for the remainder of the 2023 season due to a long list of player injuries.

The Roosters made a request to continue in the competition with a stand-alone Second Grade team but the Group 16 board refused but has recommended they be given the opportunity to remain with a team in the First Grade competition.

The Roosters, which won the 2022 First Grade Premiership, will have to notify the board of the club’s decision by Sunday evening (May 28).

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“The Group 16 Board will continue to support the inclusion of the Bega Under 18’s and Women’s League Tag teams in their respective competitions for the remainder of the 2023 season,” Group 16 Chair Allan Wilton said.

The news comes just weeks after the Moruya Sharks withdrew it’s First and Reserve Grade team due to a growing injury list.

Club Secretary at the Sharks, Patrick McMahon, told East Coast Radio while withdrawing from the competition was unavoidable, it’s sad news for local rugby league in Moruya.

“It’s disappointing and because we didn’t have enough numbers to continue in first grade, we were not allowed to have a stand alone reserve grade side, so we had to cut both teams which is very sad,” McMahon said.

Many Moruya players looking for opportunities to play rugby league on the South Coast, joined other Group 16 teams – mainly Narooma and Batemans Bay being the two closest.

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If Bega leaves the competition, players would likely look to join the Merimbula-Pambula Bulldogs or Bega rivals, Tathra.

This Saturday night is the Roosters our annual dress up night with a 1960’s theme!

The night is also a fundraiser for First Grade player, Todd Rollason who was injured in the first game of the year against Tathra, with a further date to be set for a second fundraiser night for all of Bega’s other injured players.

All proceeds from Saturday night will go towards Todd’s ongoing expenses as he is unable to return to work due to the Acute Compartment Syndrome he sustained.

As well as tickets to the women’s origin, some of the senior players will be auctioned off to do a few hours of manual labor to help with jobs that need doing around the home.

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Images: Bega Roosters

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