Quote Originally Posted by pv4 View Post
I heard after their Mussy state cup game that they were struggling but haven't heard much else. I'd be pretty upset if they couldn't get two grades - they should be getting all the bellbird & cessnock juniors who don't make cessnock seniors
This rumour is fact.

Bellbird will not be fielding a team in ID's this year. Shattered to say the least. Decision was made last night at training after a good month of hard work to avoid it.

Started the season pretty strong with 28 odd players showing interest at training. They fell away due to various reasons - travel, work, laziness, players returned to juniors to play U/18's. Currently sitting at 17 which includes 4 shiftworkers. Just wont cut it and it is not fair on the 17 guys who have stuck by the club to put them through two games every week.

You are spot on we should have all of those players. But there are also a number of things which are working against us:
1. The under 25's competition (which has a whole five teams nominated) which our juniors have a side in despite our protests and attempts to have them play with us.
2. We had an all age team last year who promised to step up when needed. They refused this year so have been refused registration at our club.
3. 1 team clubs... There are a number of teams in the Cessnock area who setup a 'club' with one all age team.

And unfortunately, this leaves us in the position we are in now.

We will be back though.