FOR the first time since 2002, the Berry-Shoalhaven Heads Magpies will not have a team play in the Group Seven Rugby League first grade competition.
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After a disappointing 2020 season, in which the club didn't win a game, and a lack of numbers at training this year, the Berry Showground-based club recently decided to just play reserve grade in 2021.
"When we started pre-season training in late January, we were lucky to get 20 players on the track, from grade and under 18s combined," a Berry-Shoalhaven Heads' spokesperson, who's club defeated Mittagong in the annual Blaine Rozs Cup on Saturday, said.
"As of late, the numbers have been improving and we've been getting close to 30 but it's still well short of where it needs to be.
"So we as a club made the hard decision to withdraw from first grade, consolidate in reserve, before aiming to return to the top grade in 2022.
"As a club, I believe it will benefit us, in the long run, to have a strong season in reserves, instead of rocking up and not being competitive once again in firsts."
The foundation club, which joined the South Coast competition in 1914, has only not been part of Group Seven's top flight in 1945 (no teams), 1982 (only third grade and under 18s) and 2002 (no teams).
"As disappointing as this decision is, it's been a trend over the past few years," the spokesperson said.
"If not for the prop up of those Collegians players, this very well could have happened in 2020.
"While the playing numbers are understandably down, this decision is more of a reflection on the lack of people willing to put their hands up and help the club - we currently have more current players on the committee than past players.
"There are a few people, myself included, who are doing everything from sorting out the jerseys, chasing sponsors and setting up training and game days, which is not good enough.
"It's really disappointing that there aren't more people in the area that firstly want to play footy but also support the Magpies."
As such, the Magpies, coached by Paul Harrod, will only field a reserve grade side in 2021, with the club also not being able to get enough players together to nominate an under 18s outfit.
This leaves the 2021 first grade competition with nine teams, as Milton-Ulladulla will return after an 18-month hiatus.
At this stage, the competition will kick-off with its annual rivalry round on Saturday, April 10 - with the Albion Park-Oak Flats and Stingrays clash at Centenary Park being the season opener.
The following day, Kiama hosts Jamberoo, Shellharbour takes on Warilla-Lake South at Ron Costello Oval and Nowra-Bomaderry battles Shoalhaven rivals Milton-Ulladulla at the Bomaderry Sporting Complex.