After several months of work by a dedicated committee, the club was last week formally accepted into the Proten Cup.
The Deniliquin Blue Heelers have been dormant since 1977, which is the last year Deni had a team in the group 17 competition.
Kurt Longford launched the campaign to revive rugby league, and the Blue Heelers, in Deniliquin in 2024.
His efforts have meant there is enough commitment to field a men’s team this season.
Interest in the women’s team has not been as strong, however.
But that does not mean that women interested in playing won’t get the chance to play.
With clearances and potential dispensations for different teams around the Proten Cup, local women could be able to play games when the opportunity arises.
“We understand the situation with the women’s team, and proposals were put forward on how to accommodate this,” Proten Cup president Brad Lawrence said.
“There’s a little to unpack, which you will all hear as soon as possible.
“That said, I’d like to say congratulations, and I’d like to formally invite the Deni Blue Heelers men’s team into the 2025 Proten cup season.”
The Deniliquin Blue Heelers are scheduled to play in Barellan for the Proten Community Cup Knockout tournament on Saturday, May 10.
It will be a good indication of how the Deni side stack up against their opposition this year.
The club will then turn its attention to the beginning of the season proper on Saturday, May 24.
In that first round, they travel to Ivanhoe to play Hillston.
The Blue Heelers are also planning practice matches to aid in stronger preparation for the season.
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