Debate sparked when Southern Inlands Rugby, which covers the NSW Riverina area, announced earlier this week that they’re set to compete in ‘Country Week’ after a 12-year hiatus (pending final approval next Monday).

The Monaro zone includes teams from Boorowa, Bungendore, Cooma, Crookwell, Goulburn, Hall, Jindabyne, Taralga, Yass and defense force institutions ADFA and RMC.

Goulburn’s rugby community is now asking why their representative area can’t do the same.

Monaro Rugby, Southern Inlands and South Coast Rugby, are all governed by the ACTRU which historically have not taken part in the event.

Southern Inland’s inclusion next year changes the mould.

Executive Officer of NSW Country Rugby Terry Woodward told the Post on Wednesday that an invitation to the Championships has always been on the table for Monaro.

However ACTRU General Manager of Community Rugby, Craig Leseberg, says as far as he was aware, it was only Southern Inlands who had been invited. He says that while Southern Inlands are able to make the decision to independently fund the venture, Monaro and South Coast are completely managed and funded by the ACTRU.

In an email to the Goulburn Post, Sam Irwin, Competitions and Rugby Services Manager from Brumbies Rugby, stated that not only was no direct invitation for Monaro received, but funding for such a project was not budgeted for 2015.

“Brumbies Rugby did not receive a direct invitation or request for Monaro to take part the championships where as SIRU did,” the email said.

“Brumbies Rugby does not have any budget to support the Monaro Program outside the Brumbies Provincial Tournament held over the June Long Weekend. Brumbies Rugby do not impose a levy on those players participating in the Monaro Rep Program as the Union’s support for Monaro Program covers all cost e.g. administrations, kit, strapping, travel and accommodation.”

The email also stated that the NSW Country Week would clash with Monaro division fixtures.

While the email doesn’t close the door on future participation, it doesn’t answer why the option wasn’t presented to clubs in the Monaro region in the first place. If given an opportunity, Dirty Reds president Matthew Klem believes Monaro is more than capable and should be playing in Country Week.

He himself was a triple representative in 1997, 98 and 99 before Monaro’s switch from NSW Rugby to the ACTRU.

“Southern Inlands are like a big brother but if they accepted then I think Monaro should have too,” Klem told the Post on Wednesday.

“Monaro would be silly not to enter. We may not be competitive but our region has some very good young players who would benefit from the opportunity and the exposure of Country Week.”

Dirty Reds veteran player Mik Webber has been a regular selection for the Monaro representative team in recent years. He said while playing in the three team ACT Provincial Championships is good, the opportunity to play at Country Week would be a huge bonus to players who consider themselves NSW country footballers.

“It would be really good if we did take part. It’s for country rugby and as far as we’re concerned in Goulburn, we are country rugby,” Webber said.

“The guys should be able to have the opportunity to represent at the highest level that they can.”

Klem agrees that the opportunity should be made present.

“Country week was always the pinnacle for country players,” he said.

“Goulburn is the oldest country rugby club in the state; we should be given the same opportunity like everyone else.”