THE Moree Boomerangs Rugby League Football Club may be forced to take legal action as it fights for a place on the Group 4 playing fields this winter.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Club officials talked to Country Rugby League chief executive David Barnhill yesterday and were told by Barnhill there doesnChr(39)t appear to be any grounds for an appeal.
But Barnhill has told the Boomerangs he will have his legal people look into their situation.
Last Sunday Group 4 Rugby League clubs voted against rescinding a 1998 resolution banning the Boomerangs from playing in Group 4. The Boomerangs had been granted permission to play in Group 4 in 2001, subject to satisfying three clauses, after being suspended from Group 19 in 1999 for conduct detrimental to rugby league on and off the field.
While satisfying two clauses last Sunday, the club also needed a two-thirds majority to rescind the 1998 resolution banning them from Group 4.
The Boomerangs received 19 votes for, 14 against and had one informal vote, four votes short of a two thirds majority.
Group 4 officials declared the motion lost and the Boomerangs left without a competition.
Boomerang chairman, Colin Wells, said his club would prefer not to take the legal route.
"If there is nothing the CRL can do then it looks like there is no choice for us but to seek legal help," he said yesterday.
"We believe the motion put by Julie Humphries and seconded by Jim Cox is illegal and discriminatory."
He said Group 4Chr(39)s acceptance of its nomination fee ($200) on December 5 made last SundayChr(39)s decision illegal and discriminatory.
The Boomerangs will cease their legal action if Group 4 and the CRL allow them to take their place in the 2001 Group 4 Rugby League competition.
"We donChr(39)t want to create any more trouble," Wells said.
"All we want to do is play football… If this canChr(39)t be solved in a week or two, then weChr(39)ll take it as far as we can."
