In the past six months the club’s players, coaches and committee have come together for weekly meetings to reduce the club’s debt to a manageable level.

They aim to form three sides for the club’s first foray back into Group 16.

Club president Bob Mitchell was rapt in how the club’s supporters and committee members helped prepare the Tigers for this season.

“The coaches especially have done a great job considering they were starting from 10 yards behind scratch,” Mitchell said.

“Hopefully it will all bear fruit.”

At the past few training nights between 35 and 40 players have been working hard under the leadership of coach Matt Cross.

The Tigers heard rumours past players ight come back to Batemans Bay but the club is taking a patient approach. 

“As in most things around a footy club we are believing nothing of what we hear and only half of what we see,” Mitchell said.

The club’s family day at the Bayview Hotel on Sunday was a success, with the tucker donated by club sponsor Jason Funnell. 

“The coldies went down well in the extreme heat and a good day was had by all,” Mitchell said. 

“Duncan, the club’s mascot, declined to make an appearance due to the heat but has assured us he is rearing to go. 

“The word is he has acquired his own motorised scooter which should increase his range.”

Group 16 under 18s representative training was held at Tathra last Sunday and the Bay Tigers were represented by Doug Ebsworth, Lachlan Knox, Jarrod Ward and Luc Hill.  

The side will train again in a couple of weeks at Narooma.  

“The Tigers have about 14 players for this year’s under 18s team but need a few more players to make life a bit easier down the track,” Mitchell said.

There is a Group 16 general meeting at Bega tonight and Tigers’ representatives will be travelling down.  

The finalisation of the draw, Saturday games and club requirements will be on the meeting’s agenda. 

Mitchell was also curious about what was happening at the Moruya Sharks’ home ground Ack Weyman Oval.

“We drove past the ground last week and the grass has gone,” Mitchell said.

“We have no doubt Ack will have it ready, but if it’s not we will offer the use of Mackay Park for both the home and away games with the Sharks this season.”   

Bay Tigers key dates:

February 28: Group 16 trial matches; Indigenous v Nowra and All Stars v Milton-Ulladulla.

March 8: All Stars v Indigenous, venue decided tonight at Bega.

March 15: Group 16 nines knockout at Eden.

March 22: First competition game. Bay Tigers v Cooma at Cooma.

March 29: Second competition game. Bay Tigers v Narooma at Mackay Park. 

No football on Easter.