The revitalisation of the Forster Tuncurry Dolphins and the introduction of junior competitions in the Lower Mid North Coast rugby union area will be priorities of the M.N.C. Zone's new executive officer, Bruce Worboys.
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"Junior players are essential to our development across the zone. They are our strength and our future," Mr Worboys said from his home in Coffs Harbour.
"The Forster Dolphins have been a force in the Lower M.N.C. since the zone was divided in 2008 - seven premierships in the last 13 seasons is evidence of that.
"They have a strong president and committee and it is most encouraging that they have announced coaches for next season after their decision to stand down from last year's competition. Likewise, it is pleasing that they have indicated they will field a women's team again this winter.
"It is essential that they return and, similarly, the clubs which withdrew from the Upper M.N.C. premiership."
Mr Worboys was speaking upon the retirement of his predecessor, the zone's executive officer of the last decade, Mr Bob Wilson.
"Bob has left the zone in a healthy state, but it is imperative the clubs return which stood down last winter due to concerns about the pandemic," he said.
"And, of crucial importance, is the re-employment of development officers by the Australian Rugby Union. They were laid off in all zones during the pandemic."
While the formation of the Lower M.N.C. junior rugby union was a pleasing development of recent seasons, there has been no specific competition for juniors under the auspices of the zone in the region.
As a former representative prop forward, Mr Worboys remarked with some feeling: "You don't develop and produce scrummaging forwards overnight.
"I see juniors as a major strength of the Upper M.N.C. area with the Under-14, 16 and 18 teams flourishing. It is essential we have a similar development nursery in the Lower M.N.C."
