Organisers say the community is firmly behind the club’s bid to again field a team in the Central Otago premier competition.
‘‘We know we’ve got a bunch of really good guys out there wanting to give it a go and get back into it,’’ organiser Chris Naylor said.
The club was established in 1889 and the premier team — now styled as the Antlers — last played in 2018.
Recruitment for the 2027 season has started and coaches appointed.
Mr Naylor, a Clyde local, recently returned home after 16 years in Western Australia. Having previously played for Clyde, he is helping lead the rebuild as organiser and assistant coach, alongside head coach Shane Allen and assistant Tom Ballantine.
Treasurer Nathan Love, who has been involved with the club for more than 30 years, said the response so far reflected deep community ties to the team and some players were keen to return after time away from the game.
Blair van der Voort, who played for Clyde 10-12 years ago, said some of his favourite memories came from the small-town club.
‘‘I’d love more than anything for my kids to wear a Clyde rugby top. To have them inspired to play by watching a senior team — that’d be brilliant.
‘‘We want everyone to play, to make sure there’s a team for everyone. Otherwise they don’t play at all and that’ll be the worst.’’
The club could also help strengthen the region’s workforce, he said.
‘‘We’ve got tradies galore here and the population is growing quickly. If we can help bring more skilled workers to the region, too, that’d help everyone.’’
Life member and patron David Tweedale, 79, a part of the club for more than 60 years, has fond memories of its place in the community and said he would be delighted to see the premier team return.
Fellow life member Earl Attfield said Clyde had lost important parts of its community life in recent years.
‘‘The community needs something... Lost our pub, our garage. We need to fill a gap.’’
Mr Naylor said the timing of Clyde’s comeback came down to both demand and opportunity.
The intention was not to take players from other clubs.
‘‘We’re not looking to poach players. We just want to make sure everyone has a team to play in. That’s what comes first.’’
