Since 1970, St Edward’s Bears have been an integral part of the Central Coast Rugby League Competition. Our club, with its proud tradition and legion of loyal followers, has loved seeing the Red and Black jerseys take the field every week, year after year. However, a newly introduced bylaw is threatening to exclude us from participating in the competition for the 2026 season—a season we have already started preparing for by registering players and organizing logistics.

This new bylaw states that a senior team must have a corresponding junior team to participate in the competition. This rule was implemented after we had already been working diligently towards the 2026 season. Our strategy includes plans to re-establish a junior club by 2027, ensuring the future of rugby within St Edward’s Bears. However, disallowing our senior players the opportunity to compete in the upcoming season could severely impact our efforts to revive and sustain junior participation.

The implementation of this bylaw not only jeopardizes our current team but seems uniquely targeted, significantly affecting us more than any other club involved in the competition. It is a decision that seems unfairly tailored to exclude our beloved Bears, given our long-standing presence in the competition.

The decision for a bylaw change at this particular moment is not just challenging but detrimental. We are committed to growing the sport and nurturing talent from junior levels up, contributing positively to the league and the community at large. Forcing our senior team to stand down in 2026 while we work towards junior restructuring obstructs the very essence of community sport, which is to foster inclusivity and passion for the game.

We ask the Central Coast Rugby League officials to reconsider this bylaw or provide an exemption that acknowledges our history, our efforts to align with the league's future vision, and the undue impact this decision imposes on our club. Ensuring our participation in 2026 is crucial not only for St Edward’s Bears but for the integrity and diversity of the Central Coast Rugby League Competition itself.

Please sign this petition to show your support for St Edward’s Bears. Let's ensure that our Bears roar proudly on the field come 2026 and beyond, while we build a solid foundation for future junior players. Together, we can foster an inclusive and thriving rugby league community.