WAUCHOPE Thunder is eyeing off making a switch to the upper Mid North Coast rugby after building an outstanding culture in the lower competition.
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Thunder is investigating whether to join the same competition as Port Macquarie Pirates and Hastings Valley Vikings, and is throwing the idea out to its players for their input.
They are the main reason the club wants to join the stronger competition in 2016. Thunder had 35 registered players on its books for its first season, and were only able to play 23 in one squad each game day.
The club wants to form a reserve grade side so more players get a go every Saturday.
It’s by no means set in stone. Thunder president Peter Daley, coach Marc Minor and zone president Mark McKay are still discussing the issue.
Daley and Minor want some input from the Thunder players.
Daley would like to see the switch as soon as possible.
“Personally, I think the sooner the better,” he said.
“But the timing has to be right and the playing roster has to be right.”
Wauchope has players at both ends of the experience scale.
Thunder had zone and county reps last season, and a contingent who had never played the game before.
All must be considered in making a final decision on where the club would compete next year.
The club could stay in the lower comp with just one team, move to the upper comp with one team or move with two teams.
“We’re weighing up our options,” Minor said.
A great debut rugby year culminated in the club winning the Steve Taylor Memorial Shield for the Spirit of Rugby.
McKay said the club was the perfect candidate.
“For mine, it was an easy decision to make,” he said.
“They’re a well managed club with a vibrant and active committee.
“Their presentation on game day is first class. They tick all the boxes and then some.”
McKay said he was all for Thunder coming on board in the northern comp.
“I would like to see Wauchope at some stage progress to the higher level of rugby,” he said.
“I know the decision Wauchope will make will be the right one.”