Centennial Coal’s Neil Larcombe attended to present the grand final awards, but not a single Group 10 representative was sighted. 

While Mr Larcombe acknowledged the grand final for its importance, the many spectators at the Centennial Coal Cup’s showpiece event were left to ponder Group 10’s absence. 

Grand final hosts Kandos, at CCC’s showcase at Kandos Waratahs Park, arguably one of the showpieces in the whole Group 10 area, were embarrassingly given the cold shoulder by officials of the Group 10 affiliated competition. 

The Waratahs, as true champions this year, deserved better than to be ignored in this manner. 

Undefeated all year, showing impeccable behaviour on and off the field – and creating no unwanted headlines - the Kandos Waratahs have produced what sponsors and sporting bodies crave, but it seems with the officiating body that the “squeaky wheel gains most attention” – or - all the attention. 

Kandos Waratahs are one of the most tightly run clubs, by astute, competent and passionate people who pride themselves on their efforts and that of the team. 

The image of their club and its reflection on their local community with respect to rugby league in general sits as an important makeup of the Kandos club. 

Has Group 10 bludgeoned all Centennial Coal Cup clubs because of the actions of a few – or do they really just want it to go away. 

Or are they embarrassed by headlines created by some senior Group 10 clubs over the last couple of years. 

Or embarrassed by a club such as Kandos Waratahs who have done nothing to bring the game into disrepute, and have been successful in all ways on and off the field over the last nine years. 

Group 10 should be proud of the achievements of clubs such as the Waratahs, and use them as a yardstick for their other competitions. They could do worse. Or could they?