A strong reaction to Junee's 'State of Play' meeting has boosted hopes for the club's future.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Around 50 people, including 10 first grade players, were on hand at the Ex-Service's Club on Sunday to discuss how to move the Diesels forward.
While folding or merging were options mentioned during the week, neither were topics of discussion at the meeting following the strong turnout.
A big focus of the meeting was trying to establish a larger committee.
Trying to embrace the "many hands make light work" motto, already working groups have been established to help decrease the load on what has been a very small committee and open avenues for further ideas.
President Simon Vanzanten was pleased with the response.
"I thought it was pretty successful," Vanzanten said.
"The main thing we wanted was at least 20 committee members so we can start planning for the future.
"With our sub committees I think that will happen."
Creating a better club culture was another big talking point.
Local players voiced their frustrations at what has been seen as a lack of commitment from the club's paid players, particularly on the training paddock.
The Diesels are looking at ways to reward their homegrown talent more.
After making finals in both first and reserve grade last year, when only a top four was in operation, 2019 has been a horror season for the club.
Both men's team are in the bottom three while the leaguetag side are winless.
Injuries have been a consistent hurdle for captain-coach Trent Schubach this season, but despite having also 50 players registered the Diesels have forfeited reserve grade twice in the last three weeks.
Junee currently don't have either junior grade but are hopeful of fielding five teams next season.
The under 15s are through to their sixth straight grand final in the junior league, while the Diesels were close to getting an under 17s team this year.
With strong junior numbers, the club is working on ways to sustain themselves before their influx of promising junior ranks arrive to keep rugby league alive in the town.
Group Nine chairman Peter McDermott, who is from Junee, was on hand for the meeting.
He believes it was a good step for the club going forward.
"I think the biggest problem they've got is the committee, and not the work they were doing but the numbers," McDermott said.
"I think getting a business plan and more people to help will be a good step forward."
The club is also working towards a major fundraising initiative following the media attention their plea sparked.
READ MORE