The Canowindra Pythons are continuing to prepare for 2019, but things will be a little different for their women's side.
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In a similar to set up to the junior formation of years' past, Canowindra will combine with the Cowra Eagles women's team for the coming season, ensuring that both teams will be able to field a side.
President Jack Beath said that while the move and its details are still being ironed out, but that ultimately both clubs, as well as parent organisation Central West Rugby, were on the same page.
"We had to do something... As long as they're playing footy they're happy," Beath said.
He added that with only eight players to rely on every week, as well as others whose week-to-week commitment would wax and wane based on family, it became clear that finding a club to partner up with would be the best solution.
"Everyone's in the same boat: The players, me as president, Central West Rugby as a body," Beath said.
"We want to see... more ladies' footy come out to the bush."
While Beath was happy with the arrangement, he was also keen to stress that the club would still maintain its own identity in the arrangement.
"It's Canowindra-Cowra, not just Cowra," he said, adding that jumpers would change according to the vagaries of the fixture.
"If we're playing here, we're wear our jumpers, if we're playing there [at Cowra Rugby Fields] we'll wear their jumpers."
Beath said that Canowindra is not the only small town having problems fielding sides, with other rugby clubs feeling the pinch of small numbers.
"It's just not only the drought, it's just there's no young people who want to play footy," the president said.
"[There's] not that great pool of people to pull out of, [compared to] what there used to be."
Village Cup looms for men's side
The Pythons make a trip out to Millthorpe this week to take part in the Village Cup, and Beath acknowledged that while numbers are steady for his side ahead of the season proper, there nevertheless will be challenges.
"It is a bit hard, it's early in the season, but you need to know if you've got blokes... You need every person committed every week," Beath said.
The Pythons will take on the Millthorpe Mozzie Barbarians at 2 pm at Redmond Oval, before a potential second fixture against the winner of Blayney Rams and Molong Magpies, that kicks off at 4 pm.
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