It’s now – very appropriately – being labelled the Dubbo CYMS saga, mainly because for Fishies’ chairman, the club itself, the general footy fan and the entire Western Rams region it seems like the club’s proposal to switch from Group 11 to Group 10 has dragged on for the entire off-season thus far.
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To be fair, it just about has.
The bid was kick-started just a month after both competitions’ respective grand finals and came to a close, officially, on Wednesday night.
The proposal was officially vetoed by Group 10 clubs at a special general meeting, leaving Fishies to re-apply to play in Group 11 in 2017, however the proposal sparked discussions of change which Country Rugby League look to be taking very seriously.
Change is afoot in the region, that much is clear.
Here’s how the saga played out, from start to finish.
OCTOBER 31, 2016:
Dubbo CYMS take a vote at annual general meeting (AGM) where the club officially decides to proceed with a proposal to switch to the Group 10 competition in 2017. Following the AGM the CYMS board members meet with the Group 11 to signal intention to put forward the proposal.
NOVEMBER 8, 2016:
Group 11 president Derrick Hoe confirms he has met with Dubbo CYMS board and Walkom confirms his club will be sending the proposal out to Group 11 clubs and presenting it at Group 11 AGM.
NOVEMBER 9, 2016:
Dubbo Macquarie says it would vote against a Dubbo CYMS move while down the highway in Group 10, Orange CYMS captain-coach Mick Sullivan says he would be all for the move.
NOVEMBER 10, 2016:
Forbes captain-coach Jake Grace says it comes as no great surprise Dubbo CYMS wants to move, saying "if they think they're superior to everyone else, they should just come out and say it."
NOVEMBER 13, 2016:
Group 11 clubs send "a strong message" by denying the move at the Group 11 annual general meeting. Dubbo CYMS board member Wes Maas is disappointed, blames the clubs' "shortsightedness" and confirms his club will continue to fight for a move.
NOVEMBER 14, 2016:
Dubbo CYMS holds a board meeting and and confirms decision to take proposal to Group 10 and apply for application to that competition.
NOVEMBER 16, 2016:
The Western Rams board sides with Group 11 at its annual general meeting, saying no to any switch.
NOVEMBER 21, 2016:
CRL CEO Terry Quinn says Dubbo CYMS should "stick for the moment" in Group 11 but confirms there will be a review into the structure of the Group 11 and Group 10 competitions in February 2017.
NOVEMBER 23, 2016:
Representatives from the Dubbo CYMS club travel to a Group 10 board meeting at Bathurst and put forward the proposal.
NOVEMBER 24, 2016:
Representative from Dubbo CYMS travel to Sydney and meet with Quinn and CRL Football Operations Manager Bert Lowrie to discuss the matter. CYMS chairman Kevin Walkom describes it as "positive".
NOVEMBER 28, 2016:
Kevin Walkom and Group 10 chairman Linore Zamparini confirm Group 10 clubs will vote on the matter at a board meeting. Walkom again describes meetings and feelings as "positive”.
NOVEMBER 30, 2016:
Group 10 clubs vote against the move, highlighting budget, time and travel as the main catalysts for the result. The final result was 6-3.
DECEMBER 1, 2016:
Kevin Walkom describes decision as "disappointing" and says his board will meet and plan to apply for the Group 11 competition in 2017.