THE Country Rugby League is expected to confirm today that Camden Haven will play in the Group Three competition next season, with Harrington receiving the green light to take part in the Hastings League.
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CRL's regional manager Kevin Hill said this yesterday.
This follows a meeting held on Wednesday night attended by representatives from Harrington, Camden Haven, the Hastings League and Group Three. Mr Hill chaired the meeting.
The Times was told Hastings League officials agreed that there should be portability agreement between Camden Haven and Hastings League clubs Lake Cathie and Kendall as well as Harrington, giving Camden Haven some access to their players. This has not been the case in recent years.
However, Camden Haven president Michael Moore said his club would be in a position to field four teams in the Group Three competition in 2014. The Eagles ran without a first grade this year.
He told the meeting the club already has 22 players on its books while Dave Henry has been appointed first grade coach.
Harrington would return to the Hastings League for the first time since 1976. The club has played in the Lower North Coast Rugby Union competition for the past five years with limited success. Harrington showed no interest in forming an alliance with Camden Haven to play in the Group Three reserve grade competition, as had been suggested.
There were no representatives from the Kendall or Lake Cathie clubs at this week's meeting and Mr Hill understands there have been issues between the Camden Haven-based Hastings League clubs and Camden Haven in the past. Mr Hill said the CRL will organise a meeting between the various parties early in 2014.
Group Three secretary Barrie Smith described Wednesday's meeting as 'amicable.'
It would now appear the Group Three competition will have nine clubs next year.
