THE Gunnedah Bulldogs are looking to secure their future in the AFL North West competition by expanding the club in the 2020 season.
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The club is currently exploring the possibility of adding an under-14, under-17 and women's teams to their ranks from next season.
The move comes after the Bulldogs' senior side claimed their second premiership in three seasons by defeating the New England Nomads in August's grand final.
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Club president Hamish Russell said the club would be hosting a community feedback session at the Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club on November 24.
"We've had a lot of interest so far and the idea of the meeting is to gauge if there's enough interest to add some teams next year," Russell told the Leader.
"At this stage, we are really confident we can add some new teams next year.
"I think the main draw card for our club is our culture and I think it would be great to add some new people, who could share in that culture."
Russell said he believed the sport's popularity was at an all-time high in the Gunnedah region.
"I think there's a lot of people who are starting to see how good our club's culture is and are wanting to be a part of it," he said.
"Our culture is one of competing, winning and doing it all in the right spirit.
"I think that's what is really appealing to people and I know we are really eager to share that with more people and expand our club."
Russell said he hoped expansion would help "future-proof" the club.
"In the past couple of years, we've had really strong playing numbers, but in the past we haven't been so lucky," he said.
"One of the big hopes of expansion is that it will not only give our region's young kids a pathway to senior footy, but will also help secure our club's future.
"Our Auskick program has been going from strength to strength in recent years and this expansion would hopefully capitalise on that good work."
Sunday's meeting beginning at 11am, will cover all aspects of the club's plans as well as answering all community questions.
"This will be the first of a few similar meetings and we hope to have a great turnout," Russell said.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
