In their cups

SHELLHARBOUR City have been admitted to the NSW Rugby Leagues Jim Beam Cup 2007 competition.

Jim Beam Cup Chairman, Mr. Bob Millward, made the announcement after close consideration of the Shellharbour City application by the combined NSW and CRL competition committee.

Shellharbour club President Peter Blaine, was ecstatic when told the news at the NSW Leagues Club only a matter of minutes after completing their presentation for submission.

This is a great boost for the South Coast, we believe it will give the many talented young players of the area additional avenues to display their abilities and assist them in achieving their dreams of playing Rugby League at the elite level.

Shellharbours move into the Jim Beam Cup comes despite objections from a majority of Group 7 clubs. Group 7 League Secretary Manager David Hall believes that the main opposition to the move was a fear the Shellharbour City side would pillage the elite of the competitions talent.

However Peter Blaine has assured rival clubs this is not their intention.

We have compiled a list of potential targets but we have been inundated by approaches from players from all over the place hoping to compete in our inaugural season of Jim Beam Cup said Blaine.

We have already earmarked about 10 players from our current roster and we feel with a few outside additions we will be able to field a competitive, youthful team.

Despite the resounding yes from the Jim Beam Cup board in response to the Shellharbour submission, some are not so certain of Shellharbour Citys ability to compete at the higher level.

Ralph Clarke President of Albion Park Oak Flats Eagles believes the Jim Beam Cup salary cap of $150,000 for a squad of 25 players will restrict the ability of the club to attract enough quality players.

Blaine like Clarke acknowledges that players can play in the Illawarra competition for twice as much as they stand to earn playing with Shellharbour City but believes younger players will be attracted to the club in the hope of finding a possible gateway to the NRL.

With the merger of the Steelers and the Dragons there is just not as much opportunity for young local talent to get noticed as their used to be said Blaine.

Many of the currently Jim Beam Cup clubs have been in contact with Blaine extending their congratulations.

They were delighted at the decision to include Shellharbour. They look forward to the weekend away, it will be good for tourism and should the profile of the Group 7 comp.

Group 7 league boss David Hall agrees.

The Shellharbour move has the support of the board, we believe it will be good in terms of publicity for Group 7. We wish them all the best.

Despite the well wishes Hall was unsure if the Shellharbour clubs facilities would be deemed adequate.

The current facilities are of a 1957 vintage and we have submitted plans for stadium upgrade, they include the refurbishing and extension of existing facilities as well as the addition of two netball courts.

Council are wrapped with our admission and looking to get behind us said Blaine

Shellharbour City Mayor David Hamilton was one of the first to call,

He was really happy, he has already ordered a club shirt.

With all areas of planning for the 2007 season truly underway the name of the new Shellharbour City Jim Beam Cup team is yet to be decided.

We will be running a naming competition in conjunction with I98fm asking schoolkids to get involved and nominate a potential new name.

The club have made moves to encompass the existing colour of the Shellharbour City area sides including Albion Park, Shellharbour and Warilla, with a maroon, yellow, blue and white playing strip to be unveiled for next seasons Jim Beam Cup.

The Shellharbour Group 7 side will continue to sport their traditional name and colours and will continue to field teams in the Group 7 competition in first, reserve grade and under 18s, but will withdraw from the Regan Cup Competition despite clinching this years minor premiership.

Shellharbour City officials are hoping to showcase the talents of their Jim Beam Cup side prior to some of the St. George Illawarra Dragons games at Win Stadium next season, however they will be aiming to play the majority of games on a Saturday night at Ron Costello Oval.

For home games we hope to have all four teams in succession, people will be able to come and watch four quality games for $6 said Blaine.

This weekend will see the Shellharbour Sharks competing across all four of the Group 7 senior semi final fixtures, a success they hope will be a building block for a triumphant debut in next years Jim Beam Cup. Time will tell.