'I'm not going to let this club fold': Easts vow to fight for survival after virus setback

Devastated Easts president Huia Edmonds has spent this week telling players, coaches, old boys and sponsors Canberra's oldest rugby club is ending 82 years of history.

Hopefully, he says, it's only temporary pain. Edmonds, the former ACT Brumbies and Wallabies rake, says this is the step back Easts had to take before trying to rebuild.

But the road back to Canberra's first-grade competition will be long and brutal, Edmonds admitting tougher times are ahead for what was the only foundation club left in the John I Dent Cup.

"The virus was the final nail in the coffin. Pre-virus it was going to be touch and go having a first and second grade team," Edmonds said on Friday.

"When the virus hit, everything went cold. Guys have enjoyed their time off [rugby]. Half of the players said they were keen to get back in rugby again, but that was only 25-30 players and they were more lower-grade players.

"It had been brewing for a while and unfortunately we had to make this decision. But the club is still alive, I don't want to lose this club. I don't think anyone wants to lose this club."

The ACT Rugby Union confirmed on Friday Easts would drop out of the premier division competitions this year to instead play in first division, which is effectively third and fourth grade.

Discussions had been ongoing for several months. Initially officials granted Easts permission to field two of the three grades required in the premier division, but it became obvious to Edmonds they would not be able to assemble a competitive team.

Mergers were discussed. Folding altogether was also an option. But Edmonds and the Easts board were determined to fight for survival, moving to the lower division for the shortened season.

The intention is to elevate Easts back to first grade next year, but that will depend on several factors and climbing the mountain again could prove impossible.

It leaves the John I Dent Cup with six first-grade teams, removing a bye from the fixture-list and concentrating Brumbies talent around the rest of the clubs.

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"Folding was never going to happen in my books. But we had to look at everything," Edmonds said.

"This is going to be the hardest bit. We've taken a step backwards, but we need to go forwards again and get players motivated, and a foundation in place, so we're not losing players every year.

"The hardest thing we've had is keeping players over time. It's going to be hard to get on the front foot again. It's devastating ... but I'd rather make this tough decision than just folding the club and forget about it."

ACT Rugby officials hope to start their season in mid-July after teams returned to training this week.