This follows a meeting between Group Three, the Hastings League, East Coast Region league and club support officer Dan Tempest, Camden Haven, Lake Cathie, Laurieton and Kendall held last week.

The Eagles have the numbers for under 18s and league tag.

"There's no chance of them getting a senior side,'' Group Three chief executive Mal Drury said.

Laurieton Stingrays and Kendall Blues both play in the one grade Hastings League.

After an absence, Lake Cathie hopes to return to the competition next year.

Mr Drury said there's no enthusiasm from any of those clubs to link with Camden Haven and play in a senior Group Three grade, either reserve grade or first grade.

Nine clubs have nominated for next season's Hastings League. This will take in sides from Harrington to the Macleay area.

Some Group Three clubs have expressed concerns about Camden Haven rejoining the competition without at least one senior side as it would make a lopsided draw.

Mr Drury has devised a draw that would have seen Camden Haven's under 18s and league tag play their matches on Thursday nights.

"That would mean a Group Three club's under 18s and league tag would play a game on Thursday night and another on the weekend. It wouldn't be too disruptive to the competition,'' Mr Drury said.

However, this failed to garner any support from the Group Three clubs or Camden Haven. Mr Tempest will attend a meeting of the Group Three board of directors this week in an attempt to resolve the impasse.

"Dan's like me, he thinks we should be encouraging players to play football, not putting up barriers,'' Mr Drury said.

Mr Drury agreed the return of Camden Haven in the two minor grades would cause some disruption.

However, he argues that if it results in the Eagles eventually forming senior sides, the short term pain would result in long term gain.

Camden Haven has a strong representation in the Group Three Junior Rugby League. However, there's no club in the Camden Haven Valley that offers an under 18 team, meaning players who finish under 16s have to head to Wauchope, Port City or Port Sharks.

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