Gloucester president, Mathew Higgins said the number of players is down this year with only 15 to 17 players registered.

“I’m a bit worried with the numbers this year, as we normally have around 20 players,” he said.

The club estimates they’ve lost 19 players since last year; some due to moving, some retiring and some unable to commit the time; only gaining four newcomers.

“Even with 20 players, it can be’s still a struggle to get a side each game if we get injuries or players unavailable,’’ he explained.

So he’s nervous, but he’s not worried.

“This isn’t the first time we’ve been worried about numbers,” he explained. 

Mat knows the team will find their feet in the end.

The team has had some very successful seasons, including making the finals last year.

So successful in fact, that they have been out up to C-grade.

Mat said the teams new captain/coach, Andrew Middlebrook, has been the driving force behind the new players coming on board.

Andrew grew up in Gloucester, playing for the junior and senior teams, as well as playing for both Wingham and Cardiff.

It’s his connection with Cardiff, which has seen the Magpies register new players with more, hopefully to come.

The team’s pre-season games were washed out on Saturday, March 18, but their season launch is due to go head on Tuesday, March 28. During the launch the club will hold a jumper auction where anyone can buy a jumper number. Part of the money raised goes to the club, while the remainder stays in a pool that can be won throughout the season. If a player wearing the number scores the first try of a home game, the owner wins a portion of the pool. It’s a bit of a lucky dip, but it’s proving popular.

Gloucester kicks off the 2017 season at 3pm on April 1 against Paterson at the Paterson sports ground.

If you’re looking to support the local team, here are the first few games of the draw: