PORT City Breakers coach Dan Kemp believes the current situation with Macleay Valley Mustangs is “a real shame.”
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It has reached such a critical point that there are doubts about the club’s future in the Group 3 competition mainly due to dwindling player numbers.
There is a real risk the club, which was founded in 1995, could fold.
“There are reasons why players have left their club, so maybe they should look at that,” Kemp said.
“I know if someone like Mitch Fowler left our club, I’d go and knock on his door, ask why and what we could do as a club to fix it.
“Some of the boys we’ve picked up have told me they haven’t been asked.”
Kemp asked questions about the Mustangs ability to bring players through their ranks.
“They’ve had two years of their under-18s making the grand finals, but why haven’t they come through the grades,” he said.
“But as a rugby league nursery, it would be a difficult region to compete with, so it’s a real shame for our group.”
The Breakers are scheduled to play the Mustangs on July 14, but Kemp said he would take the match as an opportunity to give some of his younger players a go.
“We won’t be risking players like Dan Dumas or Chris Piper,” he said.
Mustangs president Tim Moorehead has strong fears the club won’t be able to survive.
“We need more support from players, supporters and volunteers or there is potential for the club to fold,” Moorehead said.
“Unless we get the support, it doesn’t look good for the future."
For the first time this season, the Mustangs were in the red for a recent home game.
“With the small crowd numbers and lack of volunteers, we lost money hosting a home game – it isn’t viable for the club,” Moorehead said.
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The Mustangs face the challenge of consecutive road games over the next fortnight, but Moorehead remains hopeful the first grade side will finish the season.
Following the two road games, Macleay Valley finish their season at home.
Moorehead is hopeful the community will rally around the club.
“We need people to show their support by attending the final home game and putting their hands up to volunteer,” Moorehead said.
“The club needs the community for its survival.”
The Mustangs were able to celebrate the Ladies League Tag result on Saturday.
The side leapfrogged the Tigers into fifth place. The two teams are equal on competition points but the Mustangs hold the superior points differential.
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