The committee of the ProTen Community Cup Rugby League competition voted to accept the Deniliquin Blue Heelers into the league from next year.
The decision was made at the league’s AGM, and could see Deniliquin joining Oolgowi, Rankins Springs, Hillston, Barellan, Ivanhoe and Narrandera in the competition.
But the move is still subject to a determination and confirmation from New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL).
This step of being accepted into a league moves the fledgling club into a stronger position to bring the game of rugby league back to Deniliquin.
Club president Kurt Longford, one of the main people behind the potential return, was ecstatic at the news.
“Yeah it’s great news, I’m excited to see this happen,” he said.
“The goal was always to bring the game of rugby league back to town and this gets us one step closer.”
The focus for Longford, the club and it’s committee now turns to building player numbers.
Some travelling players have committed to the season, but the club would ideally like the bulk of the playing group to be locally based.
The ProTen Cup’s incoming president Brad Lawrence was supportive of the attempts being made by Deniliquin.
“I’d like to personally congratulate yourselves and your club on your efforts so far,” he said to the club.
“As a committee, our unanimous decision to accept you into our competition was an easy one given the efforts shown by your members to attend our AGM, as we wait for NSWRL to make the final decision.
“If there’s anything needed from our end moving forward in the time being, please reach out.
“That said, if we get the result we all hope for myself and some representatives would like to travel down and meet with you and your members to formally welcome you into our competition and discuss our next steps.”
The Deniliquin Blue Heelers Rugby League Club will now hold its own committee meeting this Friday, at the Railway Hotel - one of the club’s major sponsors - to discuss the progress.
The club is also running regular raffles in the lead up to next season, hoping to raise funds for the season ahead.
Anyone interested in getting involved with the club at any level - whether it be playing, coaching, training or offering other support - is encouraged to attend the meeting or get in contact with the club via the ‘Deniliquin Blueheelers Rugby League Football Club’.
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