THE Kootingal Kougars are preparing for a new era during the 2020 season.
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The club has nominated to compete in Northern Inland Football's revamped Premier League alongside local rivals Tamworth FC, North Companions and Oxley Vale Attunga.
If the nomination is accepted, this season will mark the Kougars' first in the region's top-flight competition in 12 years.
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Kougars president Gary Johnson the decision to nominate for the move into Premier League was not made lightly.
"We wanted to make sure any decision we made was supported by the majority of our members," Johnson said.
"After a lot of consultation, it was decided nominating for the Premier League was in the club's best interests.
"It wouldn't be possible without the new format of the competition and we hope to be able to take the opportunity with both hands."
Johnson said a key motivator was a desire to "create a pathway for our junior players".
"We are currently in a pretty comfortable place, in terms of junior numbers," he said.
"It's important to keep those young kids we do have engaged and eager to play for the club long-term.
"That's why we thought this move would be a positive for our club: because it gives our younger players a chance to play for our club at the top level and removes the need for them to have to go to another club to get that chance."
The club will now wait to hear if their application has been successful and where they will fit into the new fixture.
"There's still quite a bit of work for us to do ahead of the season, things like getting uniforms ready for the season ahead and discussing the potential for us to play a couple of games in Kootingal during the year," Johnson said.
"At the moment, we currently train in Tamworth because we have players from across the region - it acts as a central point for us.
"However, Kootingal is a very tight-knit community and if we can work it in with the Roosters it would be great to be able to play a few games at home.
"I'm sure it would be well supported."
Johnson said he was confident the Kougars would be competitive this season.
"One thing I am confident about is that we have some very talented players," he said.
"We have a great talent pool to choose from and there's a chance that some former players might be coming back into the fold as well.
"There is still a lot of work to be done to get ready for the season such as: getting new home and away kits, organising coaches for junior teams and a priority for us is to find a new Premier League sponsor.
"There might be a lot still to do but, I'm certain we will show some Kougar pride throughout the season."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
