The Glen Innes Magpies have made the difficult decision to forego fielding a men's side for the 2024 Group 19 rugby league season.
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Player numbers are at the centre of the decision with 14 committed, barely enough to fill a run on side let alone accounting for injuries and other commitments.
The club made the call on Tuesday night to withdraw with the competition slated to begin this weekend.
"Personally, it's a tough pill to swallow," Magpies president Sam Schiffmann said.
"I'm pretty deflated right now.
"The mind's ticking wondering what else could we do.
"But it's a week from the comp starting so we had to make the call.
"It definitely goes to show that things aren't always rainbows and butterflies.
"But I think it reinforces the issues not just here in Glen Innes but across New South Wales with player participation within rugby league."
They have also had four injuries in the pre-season which has ruled those players out.
The club has scrimped and scraped to recruit players.
Schiffmann said they have contacted previous players, other clubs, rugby league recruiters and even looked at bringing players from overseas.
"Unfortunately the costs involved and the players requested amounts were no where near affordable for this competition and just weren't realistic," he said.
"The last two weeks have been challenging in relation to player numbers, a few too many people promising the world and delivering the atlas, so to say."
The lack of men playing won't stop the club though.
Schiffmann will remain committed to the club, as will David Willis.
He's spoken to major sponsors and stakeholders in an effort to be transparent.
They will do their best to keep interest there for 2025.
In the meantime, the positive news is the under 18s and league tag teams will be permitted to take the field.
Schiffmann said participation numbers in those divisions are high.
"I'll turn to the 18s and ladies and let them put the fire in my belly week-in, week-out and watch them play competitive footy," he said.
"The 18s are an exceptional bunch of young men," he said.
"Coach "Uncle Danny" has done a wonderful job with them and we can only be grateful going forward.
"We will continue to work with players who showed interest this year, and the under 18s - most of which will come through next year and give us a quality platform to get back on the park next year."
At the time of publishing, the Group 19 draw has not been released to the public.