Glen Innes Elks and Guyra Ghosts are set to make an impact in this year’s New England Rugby competition with the two clubs agreeing to combine for this season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Elks played in the top grade last season and finished as wooden spooners while Guyra were undefeated in second grade until the grand final where they were pipped by St Albert’s College.
Glen Innes coach and vice-president Sam Price said it was Guyra who initiated the merger and both clubs believed it would be best for the sport.
"Guyra discussed it with themselves to start with and they thought it was something both the clubs needed to do moving forward to be competitive in the competition,” he said.
"We played first grade the last two years with relatively little success so it was something they thought was a good idea and we agreed.
"We had already had put to the zone that we weren't going to be competitive in first grade so we were only going to play second grade.
"When Guyra approached us we thought it was a really good opportunity for both the clubs to step forward and put a competitive first and second grade team to help the zone out as well as help the clubs out in the future.”
The Ghosts only came back into the competition last year and were reluctant to make the step up to the top grade.
Price said there were a few players from both clubs eager to play in separate divisions.
"I think some of the boys from last year are pretty keen to go around again,” he said.
"Hopefully we will pick up a few of those people who didn't really want to play first grade but are happy to have a bit of a trot around in second grade and vice versa.”
Make up of teams is yet to be determined with Glen Innes holding their first training session on Wednesday at 6.30pm at Rugby League Park.