THE Newcastle Rugby League appears certain to be reduced to a nine-team competition after Wyong Roos revealed yesterday their intention to play in the NSW Cup next year.
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The Roos, who entered the Newcastle competition in 2003 and won the premiership in 2009, have been negotiating with the NSW Rugby League and Country Rugby League about switching to the NSW Cup, which is effectively the National Rugby League's reserve-grade competition.
Unlike most teams in the NSW Cup, who act as feeder outfits for NRL clubs, Wyong are confident they can compete at that level as a stand-alone entity.
Wyong coach Paul Stringer, who will be at the helm of the Roos again next season, told the Newcastle Herald yesterday the club's administration had resolved to field a team at the highest level available.
"That's the sole and only reason why we're doing it," he said. "We have seven [licensed] clubs in the group, and we're unique in that we're a football club, not a leagues club," he said.
"So it's all about football and our board of directors have a vision of Wyong football club playing in the best possible competition.
"At the time they entered the Newcastle competition, they thought that was the best standard they could aim for.
"But a door has opened up to play in a new competition, the next level down from the National Rugby League, and we've put in an application and hopefully we'll be accepted into it."
Stringer was confident Wyong, who finished a disappointing seventh in the Newcastle competition last season, would have the financial resources to be competitive in the NSW Cup.
"Put it this way, we've got a pretty healthy budget to go in and sign players with," he said "We're not going in to be easybeats."
Stringer said Wyong had considered the option of fielding a second-tier team in Newcastle first grade but felt they would not have the depth of talent.
Instead their lower grades and juniors with play in the Central Coast competition.
Newcastle Rugby League chairman Trevor Crow said Wyong officials had expressed frustration with the $160,000 salary cap and points.
Crow said it would be disappointing to lose any club from their ranks.
"It wouldn't be anyone's fault," Crow said. "It's Wyong's decision, but I certainly wouldn't want to be a chairman who delivers a nine-team or eight-team comp.
"It certainly portrays a sign of weakness if we have teams not wanting to play in this competition."
CRL chief executive Terry Quinn said yesterday he would meet with Wyong officials next week but was resigned to accepting their defection.
"They just have to get endorsement from us, and I haven't spoken to any of my executive about it," Quinn said yesterday. "I don't think they'll be stopped from playing in the NSW Cup, but they'll asked be to fulfil their commitments to the CRL."
Quinn said the CRL would seek assurances that Wyong's lower-grade and junior players would be accommodated, most likely in the Central Coast competition.
"It's going to be a tough call playing in the NSW Cup, without a feeder body to call on, but they think they can do it and stand alone," he said.
"It's a big call, because Wests [Magpies] were a stand-alone club this year and didn't win a game."
NSW Rugby League chief executive Geoff Carr said the governing body were receptive to including Wyong in the NSW Cup.
"If they meet the criteria, which they will do I guess, we'd encourage them."
