Students' effort praised, hopes for future revealed as change in competition is confirmed

Dwindling player numbers and concerns around safety have forced one Central West Rugby Union club to change divisions.

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The CSU Mitchell Rugby Club has officially stepped down from the New Holland Cup to the Olisplus Cup for the 2027 season.

Jarrod Simpson and Joe Fajloun discuss CSU Mitchell Rugby Club decision to drop down a tier. Pictures: Supplied.

While it will disappoint many connected to the club and the Central West given the students won the second tier premiership in 2019 and were playing in the Blowes Cup top tier just two years before that, it's been tipped to have a positive impact.

Central West Rugby Union (CWRU) chief executive officer Jarrod Simpson confirmed the proposed switch to the third tier had been approved, and praised CSU's efforts over a number of years.

"Unfortunately for CSU at the moment, they don't have as many people who are attending university on campus as what they previously had, so it affects their club numbers," Simpson said.

"It's nothing that they're doing as a club, it's just outside factors that are influencing it.

"We are fine that they go and play in a competition that suits what their demographic is."

Dropping to the third tier means CSU no longer needs to field two senior men's sides. With only one grade in this division, they can focus entirely on a single men's team alongside their women's team.

"We have been talking to them for a couple of years just about where we sit or where we think they fall," Simpson said.

"They wanted to stay last year in the New Holland Cup and they participated in that.

"Then they came to us prior to the season ending and asked if we would be happy for them to go into Olisplus Cup, which we think suits their numbers a little better than what the New Holland Cup does."

CSU Mitchell Rugby Club won their first match of the 2026 season against Wellington Redbacks. Picture by CSU Mitchell Rugby Facebook page.

In a Facebook post on Sunday evening, September 20, club president Joe Fajloun outlined why the decision was the right one for the club's future.

"Our priority is to ensure that the players who pull on the CSU Mitchell jersey are able to do so in an environment that is safe, enjoyable, competitive and sustainable," Fajloun said.

Faljoun was adamant the move should not be viewed as a step backward for the club.

"Rather, it is an opportunity to reset, rebuild and strengthen our men's program, while creating an environment that encourages new and existing players to get involved and be part of CSU Mitchell Rugby," he said.

"As we enter this next chapter, we remain committed to growing our player base, strengthening our club culture and building towards a future where CSU Mitchell Rugby can once again field multiple men's teams."

CSU Mitchell Rugby Club president Joe "Faj" Fajloun in action. Picture by CSU Mitchell Rugby Facebook page.

In recent years, CSU Mitchell has struggled to field a competitive side in the New Holland Cup, frequently leaving them short throughout the season.

One win was recorded this year, a hugely meaningful 20-17 victory over the Wellington Redbacks during the club's annual Old Mitchell Day celebrations.

That victory was just the club's third win in four years, highlighting the severe difficulties of recent times.

While discussing CSU's situation, Simpson also provided an update on the future of the Mudgee Wombats.

A second-tier powerhouse over a number of seasons, there was plenty of talk earlier this year around the Wombats stepping up to the premier Blowes Cup in 2027.

"We will talk to Mudgee about where they would like to play their footy shortly," Simpson said.

"We've had some brief conversations with them, but nothing that I'll detail now."

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