The Mandurah Pirates and Rockingham Rugby Union Football Club will join forces for the Rugby WA premier grade competition after merging their senior teams for the upcoming season.
Usually bitter rivals on the field, the two organisations have cast their quarrels aside to form the Coastal Cavaliers.
The merger comes on the back of a restructure of Rugby WA’s competitions, which gave all clubs the opportunity to enter a premier grade squad under the proviso they had enough players to field three senior teams.
Both the Pirates and Rockingham were unable to confirm they would have the numbers to field teams across the top three grades, leading to the two joining forces.
The merger will see the Coastal Cavaliers with sides in first, second and third grade, while Mandurah still has the right to play a standalone fourth grade squad under the Pirates’ banner.
The Cavaliers will also field a side in the colts competition, while no junior program will change for either club.
Mandurah Pirates president Bevan Williams said the amalgamation was a common sense decision, which was made in the interest of strengthening each club’s grassroots programs.
“Our goal was always to compete in the premier grade, and give our players the best chance to expose themselves to the highest level available,” he said.
“By joining with Rockingham, our players now have the opportunity to progress through our junior ranks and into a position where they can play in the top level.
“Pirates players no longer have to travel or move to be in the premier competition.”
Williams said the Mandurah club would continue to pursue its goal of fielding a standalone Pirates outfit in all three premier grades.
“Rugby WA has committed to the new structure for a minimum three years, so we have two seasons after this one to field our own Pirates club,” he said.
“We’ll obviously keep striving for that outcome, but in the meantime we’re very excited to be heading into this season with Rockingham.”
The club president praised both playing groups and organisations for committing to the merger.
“We certainly commend and thank Rockingham’s players, board and our own members for making a smooth and mature transition,” he said.
“It’s the best outcome for the sport of rugby in our region.”
The two clubs will split home games evenly, the first of which will be played at Pirates headquarters at Meadow Springs Sporting Complex on Saturday, April 7.
For more information or to join the Pirates call corporate management officer Nicole Gill on 0407 179 021.