After a few tough years, things are looking brighter for the Rams, with numbers sufficient to field two grades this season.

Club legend Geoff White is returning to coach second grade, while former Rams junior Nick Bomford has taken on the first grade job.

Bomford played U19s for the Rams before heading north to the sunny shores of the Gold Coast, where he played 10 seasons.

Moving back to Barraba to raise his family, he had a run with the Rams during their 40th anniversary before hanging up the boots.

Since then, he hasn’t had a lot of direct involvement but has always watched on with interest.

“The president and a few senior players approached me to coach this year,” he said.

It will be his first coaching assignment and probably couldn’t have come in a much bigger year for the club.

“This year is fairly important for the club, being its 50th year,” Bomford said.

“It’s just a big thing for the club and the town.”

The support for the Rams probably hasn’t been as strong in recent years but already there is a buzz about.

“There’s a lot more support and a lot more focus on the team,” Bomford said.

“And from what I can see the boys are pretty keen.”

They’ve been training since since mid-January.

Bomford isn’t sure yet how they’ll stack up personnel-wise, but word is the 50th has enticed a few older heads back.

White for one. 

The 300-gamer has been associated with the Barraba league side for the past few years.

The Rams’ improved fortunes last season following the introduction of the two- tier structure has also piqued a bit of interest.

“Because last year the Rams played quite well towards the end of the year and were competitive in the second tier, it’s boosted numbers,” Bomford said.

They weren’t turning up and getting flogged week in week out.

One of the virtues of the two-tier system and one of the reasons it was brought in was to try to provide a more competitive competition.

That’s not to say the Rams aren’t aiming high.

“We’re focusing on the top tier,” Bomford said.

“We would like to have a crack at getting Barraba out of the second tier.”

Above all though, they want to be playing football in September.

Last season they really hit their straps towards the second half of the season and were only a few points off playing for a spot in the Tier 2 grand final.

The semi-final against Tamworth arguably typified the inconsistency of their season, something Bomford is eager to address.

He said they should have a pretty handy forward pack but would love a couple of backs.

The club has this season reinstated the bus it was running for a fewseasons from Tamworth to Barraba every Thursday night for training.

It started last week and Bomford said anyone interested was welcome.