After the shock resignation of Dean Lynch as president in November, the role was filled by former president Russell Fitzpatrick. 

Then, ahead of an extraordinary Group 16 meeting lastWednesday, Mr Fitzpatrick resigned. 

Mr Fitzpatrick declined to comment on the resignation. 

Country Rugby League (CRL) Greater Southern regional manager Kevin Felgate said CRL had moved to bolster the group.

“The CRL intervened and asked the group to hold the meeting last Wednesday to address the executive positions,” Mr Felgate said. 

 Group 16 was instructed to hold a meeting to fill positions left after the resignation of Mr Lynch and other members of the executive, but had to wait 21 days. 

A number of issues were raised when Mr Fitzpatrick was voted the delegate to the CRL by one vote over Mr Lynch at the previous meeting.

Groups previously were able to elect two delegates, but a move meant Mr Lynch would no longer be able to provide input from clubs within Group 16 at CRL meetings. 

“Russell understood the disruptions it would cause going forward and stepped down,” Mr Felgate said.

Mr Lynch was elected unopposed to the Group 16 presidency on Wednesday. 

Meanwhile, Bega’s Allan Wilton was elected to the junior vice-presidency and Louise Lynch returned unopposed as group treasurer. 

Mr Felgate said Moruya’s John Cornall and Anne Brown retained their positions as senior vice-president and secretary respectively. 

All positions were successfully filled and Mr Felgate said he was happy with the outcome. 

“You’ve got a hard-working committee under the guidance of Dean and things are looking good for 2015,” Mr Felgate said. 

The Group 16 competition will return in mid-March with the largest pool of senior playing squads in over 30 years. 

Inclusions in the first grade roster are the Batemans Bay Tigers, Merimbula-Pa