CAMDEN Haven could return to Group Three senior rugby league next year.
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Talks between group and Camden Haven junior league officials could result in the Eagles fielding teams in the under 18s and women's league tag competition along with under 16s, if the group takes over this competition from Group Three Juniors.
"We're looking to give the kids from that area a game instead of having to go to Port Macquarie or Wauchope, as is the case now,'' Group Three chief executive Mal Drury said.
Group Three chairman Wayne Bridge said there will also be discussions with officials from the Lake Cathie clubs about entering reserve grade next year.
"Lake Cathie apparently wants to rejoin the Hastings League,'' Mr Bridge said.
"We want to see if they would be interested in playing in our reserve grade. They could play with Camden Haven's teams, although still be a separate club.''
The Camden Haven area is represented in the Hastings League by the Laurieton Stingrays.
Mr Bridge said he hopes talks can start before the group's annual meeting on Sunday November 8.
Camden Haven won consecutive Group Three first grade premierships in 2005/06 but dropped out of senior grades the next year. At the time the Eagles had a lot of players employed in the building industry who subsequently left the area looking for work.
There have been attempts to revive the club since, but none were successful.
Camden Haven has continued to play in the Group Three Junior League.
Mr Drury added the response from senior clubs to adding the 16s to the Group Three competition has generally been positive.
"If we have 16s in the senior league it will mean an earlier start to the program on game day, probably 10.30, so it will be a long day,'' he said.
"But it is also an opportunity for clubs to get more people to games and possibly get more people involved with the running of the club.''