Narrabri Blues are facing an uncertain future as they grapple with dwindling player numbers and the absence of a coach almost three months before the 2025 Group 4 competition begins.
Concerns about their ability to field a team have led to serious discussions about the possibility of withdrawing from this year’s campaign, with a call already made to pull out of the reserve grade competition even if they do manage to line up in first grade.
The club have locked in Kaitlyn Armitage as their ladies’ coach, with club president Cameron Staines full of confidence that the ladies can field teams in both the league tag and the tackle competitions in 2025.
However, without a coach for the first grade or under-18s teams, the situation at Collins Park is dire, so much so that Staines has floated the idea that Narrabri and Wee Waa need to come together and pool their talent to be competitive in Group 4.
“We have three Group 4 clubs in a 15,000 shire, and at the end of the day, Narrabri and Wee Waa are going to have to fold or merge for the health of rugby league here,” Staines said.
“We’ve got to support each other, and if we don’t support each other, it will get to a point where one won’t be existent any more.
“I know it’s pretty taboo to mention that, but it’s got to be said.
“Boggabri are pretty strong now but we all go through our phases.
“For a shire with a population of 15,000, and so many guys working in the mines now, having three clubs is going to stress a town, and that’s what is happening now with Narrabri and Wee Waa. We can’t compete.”
Staines said that while he is well aware that a Narrabri jersey with a Panther logo on it or a Wee Waa jersey with a Blues logo on it could more than likely never exist considering the rivalry, something needs to be done, which could possibly include joining together and playing home games in both Narrabri and Wee Waa.
“It’s common sense, but there’s too much Blue passion and Panther pride to come to a resolution,” he said.
As for this year, the situation is desperate for the Blues.
“We’re doing it really tough and I know Wee Waa will be doing it really tough, but they won’t say it,” Staines said.
“Boggabri are doing alright because they are winning.
“At the moment, we’re not sure if we’ll get a first grade team. Under-18s is 50-50 too. I can’t get a feel of what is going on.
“We have no men’s coaches, but we do have our women’s coach, who is Kaitlyn Armitage. She’s got energy and she’s really keen to give it a go.
“We’re looking to get a squad of 30 girls so we can still have our tag and play in the new tackle comp too.
“Snow (2024 first grade coach Glenn Collins) has pulled the pin, which is fair enough.
“We’re putting out an SOS. We need a good first grade coach and under-18s coach.
“We definitely won’t have a reserve grade team this year. It’s not worth it when Wee Waa are playing too.
“What we really need is a good first grade leader. A good local guy who shows leadership.
“We also need to attract our local guys back who are playing at other clubs.
“We need people to find their Blue passion and jump back on board with us.”
The Blues will host their first sign-on day for season 2025 next week, which will get underway at Collins Park from 7pm on Thursday, January 23.
Staines encouraged anyone who is keen to play rugby league to come along and meet the committee and players.
“Guys like Gus Smith, Cameron King, Jacob Druce and Matt Penberthy are keen to play again and represent the Blues this year,” Staines said.
“There’s a core group there of about eight players who are keen.
“We have our first sign-on day this Thursday (tonight). There will be a sausage sizzle and a few soft drinks, and we’ll have a chat.
“There will be a second one on a Sunday, which will have a jumping castle and will have a nice family feel about it. It will be a full-on family day that one.
“We want to bring back that family element into the club.”
Staines said that the landscape of the club in previous seasons, and the bad decisions and negative behaviour have unfortunately caused a slow downturn in commitment.
“I think now we have one of the best committees that the Narrabri Blues have had for a long time. We have the top-end structure sorted out, but now we have to bring the faith back into the players,” Staines said.
Wee Waa Panthers’ president Ben Oakes said that while he agreed with Staines’ thoughts that three clubs is a lot for a shire with 15,000 people, and that talks of merging or joining up is a conversation that will likely happen in the future, the Panthers are solely focused on themselves heading into the 2025 campaign and are keen to continue building during the second year out of their hiatus.
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