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2011 NRL DRAW
TOYOTA CUP LADDER | ** ALL THE LATEST 2012 Junior Rugby League NEWS ** HERE** | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Friday 6 th January 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| JANUARY LEVEL 1 REFEREES COURSE
On Wednesday 25th January 2012 the NSWRL will be conducting a Level 1 Referees Course. The course will be held at Sports House, Homebush. Participants after completing the course will then be eligible to go and join their local Referees Association. The course will run from 9:00am to 4:00pm and will cost $25. For more information contact Doug Keen - dkeen @ nswrl.com.au or 0409 031 711 |
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| Thursday 22 nd December 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 DYLAN Cartwright is a young man who has a bright future in the game of rugby league. The 18-year-old last week returned home to Darwin after representing the Australian Institute of Sport on a month-long tour of the United Kingdom and France. A product of the Palmerston Raiders and NTIS scholarship holder, Cartwright received the Col Matthews Medal for his efforts on a tour featuring four wins from five matches. "It was a great honour, winning (the Matthews medal) was pretty much the same feeling as winning a game for the green and gold," Cartwright said. "Going on the tour was a once in a lifetime opportunity, I was stoked to go and I just put my head down and gave it everything." That approach certainly worked for Cartwright, who was one of four Territory rugby league products who were on tour. Chris Smith, Ado Waianga and Tom McLennan also featured in conditions that Cartwright admitted were far different to what they were used to at home. "It was the coldest weather I've ever played in," Cartwright said. "We had a few games in minus temperatures, we didn't play in snow, but we saw some over there." Adding weight to Cartwright's appearance on the tour is the fact he was a late starter to the game of rugby league, having first played the sport about three years ago. "I started martial arts when I was five and did it for 10 years with the NT Tang Soo Karate Academy," Cartwright said. "That got my strength and mindset for what (sport) I wanted to do and Mark Nolan first got me into rugby league when I was playing school sports for fun. "I'm glad I went from martial arts to rugby league. "I was lucky to be picked for the NT side after a year with the Raiders. "From there I got into the NTIS program and went on from there." A Brisbane Broncos fan who lists Sam Thaiday as undoubtedly his favourite player, Cartwright will head to the Sunshine State early in the New Year to try out with the Queensland Cup powerhouse Redcliffe. |
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| Friday 16 December 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Dubbo College Senior Campus student Alex Bonham was among three rugby league players from the region to participate in a country-to-city camp in Sydney last weekend. A talented hooker, Bonham - along with Forbes’ David Cowhan and Zac Noble of Cowra - learned from the best in the business after being identified by ARL staff at a Western Rams Academy training camp help at Lake Burrendong recently. Among the selection panel was Dubbo’s Andrew Ryan, who is now an NRL player welfare and education officer, and ARL development officer from Bathurst, Wade Judd. Bonham, who was a member of the Macquarie Raiders under-18s side which lost this season’s Group 11 grand final, has recently linked with Cronulla and admitted he is looking forward to seeing how things work when young players arrive at NRL clubs. “It will be good to see what programs they put the players through because I think they will all be different,” Bonham said. “I’ve been training with Rod Fardell every Monday and Wednesday and he works me hard but it’s good to stay fit because we might do a bit of training at the camp as well.” Also a member of an extended training squad at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and a NSW Country representative, Bonham has the lure of a possible trip to France next year to work for. “I go to the AIS in January and spend eight days training there and at some stage after that camp they will pick a squad to go to France for a month,” he said. “I’m still at school and have a year to go with that before I hopefully go down to Cronulla so I’d like to get the grand final win with Macquarie that we missed out on this year as well.” The selection of Bonham, Cowhan and Noble was based on their attitude and commitment shown to all parts of the program, according to Ryan. “The young players got to mix with current and former NRL players such as David Peachey, Alan Tongue and John Wilson, and listen to talks from specialist strength and conditioning staff and sports therapists,” Ryan said. “The camp is designed to give the country players an experience of professional rugby league and a feel for city life as well as tours of the Sydney Roosters and Sydney Football Stadium facilities.” The country representatives also attended the Toyota Rookie Camp and joined with the NSW Origin “Emerging Blues” camp at Narrabeen where they listened to an address by NSW Origin coach Ricky Stuart. |
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| Friday 9 December 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Story & Photo By Nth Sydney BEARS See a gallery of photos of the visit in the Galleries Section. Most of them are still at school, certainly none are on a fulltime NRL players contract (As yet), but 20 players from the North Sydney Bears under 18s SG Ball side, took time away from their busy training schedule to make a social visit to the childrens’ ward of Nepean Hospital. Head Trainer Ben Jack was the organizer. “We usually do training sessions out at Wanda Beach and we did one at Cronulla last year. This year we thought we’d do a community based training session and we came here to visit the kids in the childrens’ ward.” “I think the kids loved it! You could see it in the faces when they saw a football and the presents that they got and especially the boys. When I saw some of the babies, they are quite surprised and I think they enjoyed it as well. “Definitely worth doing again. I’ve just had heaps of good reviews from the boys. Even for a future SG Ball team and maybe again later in the year if we could fit it in, it will be fantastic. Gill Astbury Acting Nurse Unit Manager Childrens’ Ward.. “Great day was had by all the children and staff when u'18s Sydney Bears “The kids thoroughly enjoyed their presents and interacting with the Matt Langfield - Lock Forward for the North Sydney Bears “I found it a lot easier to what I expected, to talk to all the little kids and make conversation with them and their parents. I thought it was going to be a lot harder than what it was.” “It was really an enlightening experience to go down there and sit with the kids. I enjoyed it a lot. I want to go again!” “I think on a day like Christmas, going down there would be amazing. Just see how the kids smile, like they were so excited today. If you get down there on a day like Christmas they’d just be over the moon, it would be amazing!” Frank Reaiche – Forward for the North Sydney Bears “You know, it was very good to see all the kids and to think how lucky we are to have what we’ve got and to give something back to the kids.” “Yeah, it was good, it really opened my eyes, just to see what it’s like for other people.” Should we do more things like this? “Oh, yeah. Of course, its great just to help the kids and help other people that are less fortunate.” The S G Ball is a NSW based under 18s Rugby League competition that is regarded as one of the toughest junior sporting competitions in the world. The season is due to begin in mid February 2012. |
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| Thursday 8 December 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MACKAY STATE HIGH SCHOOL RUGBY LEAGUE ACADEMY 2011 WRAP 2011 has been very busy year for the Rugby League Academy. Our teams have competed with distinction both at home and around the state. Once again we have collected a number of trophies for our year 8, Under 15 and Open teams including The Mick Shew Shield (Mr Ottaway’s Year 8’s) and the Booka Primrose Shield (Mr Billing’s U/15’s) both with victories over Mercy College. Mr Doyle’s open team also secured the Col Grosskreutz Shield with victory over St Pat’s in the Division 2 final at the junior league grounds. St Pats deserved their win with a good performance in a keenly contested final. If we want to win the trophy back we have a lot of work to do between now and next season. In June a group of year 11 and 12 students with Mr Ottaway, Mr Dell and Mr Billings travelled to the Gold Coast for the Brisbane Bronco’s Country Carnival, eventually suffering a narrow defeat in the final. Our team was joined by four exchange students from Castleford Academy in England who were linking with us for eight weeks to sample our way of life and work with our school coaches. Eight other exchange students from Wakefield’s Outwood Grange Academy and from Hull’s Archbishop Sentamu Academy also attended our school for an extended period to taste the experience of our Rugby League Academy program. The players from Outwood Grange Academy Wakefield were Thomas Consterdine (Shawcross Sharks), Brandon Conway (Shawcross Sharks), Chad Moss (Methley Warriors), and Josh Kittrick (Methley Warriors). 2011 was an England Tour year and for the third time we followed in the footsteps of our 2007 and 2009 rugby league tours. Traveling together were 21 students, Kyle Krisanski – Kennedy, Blake Atherton (Mirani SHS), Tyler Heading, Ryan Sainsbury, Nathan Benson, Zach Schill, Ben Ivey, Baeden Flynn, Kyle O’Brien, Damon Stokes, Jacob Pinyon, Corey Neilson, Lane Grayson, Cody Simpson (Calen SC), Brad Simpson (Calen CS), Adam Lucas, Andrew Warren, Mark Jorgenson, Jackson McCormack, Cody Cocup, and Damon Mooney. Also traveling with the group were teachers My Billings, Mr Dell, Mr Doyle and Mr Esau, who makes the tour for the third time. Two parents also helped on the trip, Mr Krisanski and Mr Flynn. The team played games in Wakefield, Castleford, Hull, Rochdale and London. No other school rugby league program in Australia offers a tour of this quality, a once in a lifetime opportunity for any young player to travel and play in the UK. While there we visited Super league games, museums, theme parks, historic castles, schools and many other tourist attractions like the London Eye and The Tower of London. The 2013 tour will be available to any current Year 8 and 9 students who confirm their intention to continue their rugby league course through their senior years (11 and 12) at our school. One of our students and our head coach deserve special mention this year. Regan Grieve was selected in the Under 15 Capricornia representative team which went on to win the state titles with our own Mr Nathan Doyle as coach. This is a major achievement for Mr Doyle in what is arguably the most keenly contested of all Queensland School sports. Also in 2011 Mr Doyle was invited to coach the North Queensland Marlins for the first time, an achievement that reflects huge credit on his ability putting him up there with the very best of coaches currently working in Queensland schools. Well done Mr Doyle! From the Queensland Championships Regan was selected in the Queensland team to contest the Australian titles in Perth. Although his Queensland team were narrowly defeated in the final, Regan’s performances at the carnival earned him a spot in the Australian ‘merit’ team named at the closing ceremony. Even though Regan has decided to move on from our school, and we wish him well at his new school, we are proud to know that he will not be able to achieve any higher honours in the schoolboy game than he has with the support of our friendly staff and students here at Mackay High. Another of our students to reach high representative honours this year was Kellen Jenner who made Mr Doyle’s U/15 Capricornia team as a 14 year old. A great year for this exciting talent was capped with his selection in the under14 Queensland team. Well done Kellen. Other notable representative honours in 2011 have come to:
This is also an opportunity to recognise the enormous contribution of two of our Academy staff who are moving on in 2012. Mr Glenn Ottaway will be taking over the Chief Executive role at the Mackay Cutters and Mr Andrew Dell is taking some time out to enjoy some travel in Europe. This is a very exciting opportunity for Mr Ottaway whose undoubted organisational and personable coaching skills have been a real benefit for the Academy over his time here. We are all looking forward to maintaining close contact with him in his new role and invite Mr Dell to come home to MSHS when the money runs out. Both these popular and talented teachers will be missed as we move into 2012 but we are sure that some equally keen and capable teachers will move in to take up the challenge. The Academy coaches would like to acknowledge these students who have worked hard in the program since they arrived in Year eight five years ago. Evert Taylor Hanson, Brydon Sutton, Aaron Ward, Josh Wallace, Matt Turton, Eden ‘Cletus’ Duffy and Hamish Walding, we thank them for their loyalty and commitment and wish them all the best in the future and hope they remember with pride the MILTON call and the camaraderie and good times we enjoyed together. We know the students in the Academy program appreciate and acknowledge the hard work that the Academy staff and their helpers have completed on their behalf, and, most importantly, have considered the sacrifices that their parents, carers and loved ones have made to make this wonderful opportunity available to them.GO MILTON!!! |
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| THURSDAY 1 st December 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  LANE COVE RUGBY LEAGUE CLUB SET TO MAKE COMEBACK
The mighty Lane Cove Rugby League Club is set to grace the fields of the north shore once again, and will be fielding teams to take part in the local North Sydney District Rugby League 2012 competition. North Sydney Junior League administrator Kevin Nicholls said, “It is wonderful to see the resurgence of this distinguished club. To witness kids running around in the famous black and gold of the Lane Cove Tigers will be very special, and will give local players an opportunity to take part in Rugby League. I’m hopeful we will see the Tigers grow again into the force that they once were.” The Lane Cove club will hold an information evening, as well as a free come and try session for 5-12 year old boys and girls on Thursday 8th December, at Lane Cove public school at 7pm. All those interested in being part of the club are more than welcome to attend. For inquiries call Kevin Nicholls on 0412 405 881. |
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Former England Academy captain Adam Milner has given his support to the Class of 2011 as they prepare to take on the Australian Institute of Sport at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday December 4 (3.00pm) The Castleford Tigers hooker led the Academy to a 2-0 series win over the Australian Schoolboys in 2010, their first series win over the Schoolboys since 2004, and he believes the current squad can build on that result against the AIS this weekend. “Playing in the Academy last year was a brilliant experience and one of the best moments of my career so far,” said Milner. “Winning was great but to win in the style we did was even better because it’s not often you get the chance to take on the Aussies. “I wish the lads all the best and I’m sure they’ll give a great account of themselves. You can see there’s a lot of focus on youth talent at the RFL and there are certainly some very talented players coming through the system and no doubt I’ll come up against a few of them in Super League next season. “The most important thing for the players on Sunday is to enjoy the experience. It’s easy to get caught up in the emotions but in these sort of games you need to keep calm, stick to the game-plan and stay focused. But I’d urge the players to enjoy the game and make the most of the opportunity.” Since playing a pivotal role in the success of the Academy last season, Milner has gone on to become a first team regular at the PROBIZ Coliseum and the young hooker is quick to cite his experiences against Australia as a key factor in helping his development. “The experience of going up against the Australians was a huge boost and proved to be a great stepping stone for Super League,” said Milner. READ MORE |
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| Wednesday 30 th November 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lions prepare for touring Australians. Rugby League Community Lions U18s head coach Kelvin Lockett has named a 20-man squad ahead of his side’s game against the touring Australian Institute of Sport at Heworth ARLFC, York, on Wednesday 7 December, kick off 7.30pm. The squad will train on Saturday 3 December, after which Lockett will name his side for the encounter against the highly-rated tourists. Gillette Conference Youth League champions Thatto Heath Crusaders provide three members of the squad, as do Cumbrian outfit Wath Brow Hornets, whilst there could be plenty of local interest as Heworth’s Tyler Craig is in with a chance of selection for a game which is to be played on his home ground. The AIS – currently in France for a two-game trip – kicked off their tour with a convincing 40-12 victory over France U19s and they will also take on France U17s, Wales U18s and the England Academy side before concluding their tour with the Community Lions clash. SQUAD Sam Forester (Maryport) AIS UK FIXTURES Wales U18s v AIS England Academy v AIS RL Community Lions U18 v AIS (price for RL Community Lions game only) |
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| 2012 ENGLAND ACADEMY AND YOUTH SQUADS NAMED 2012 England Academy and Youth squads named England Academy and England Youth coach Dave Elliott has named his respective 39- and 42-strong squads for the 2012 season. England Academy and England Youth coach Dave Elliott has named his respective 39- and 42-strong squads for the 2012 season. The England Academy squad includes the 21 players currently preparing for Sunday’s match against the Australian Institute of Sport at Leigh Sports Village (3.00pm) and Elliott is hoping that fixture will provide the squad with further momentum to take into 2012. Elliott guided both sides to victories over their French counterparts earlier this year and with the Youth team set to continue their traditional Easter rivalry against France and the Academy to embark upon a tour of Australia, 2012 promises to be a big year for English Rugby League. “The Academy selection for Sunday reflects what will come in 2012,” said Elliott. “But I could easily have picked 59 players for next year’s squad. “There are also a lot of players on a watch list who aren’t in the initial squad, but that doesn’t mean that anyone not included will be out of contention and it doesn’t guarantee anyone in the squad a place on the tour. “There are a lot of players who have played well in the academy competition this season and we now want to see how they cope in the England environment, but it’s not a closed shop. “Last year seven of the 17 players who took on the Australian Schoolboys weren’t in the original squad at the start of the year, but they earned their place on the back of their performances during the season, so no one can rest on their laurels.” 2011 Engage Super League Grand Finalists St Helens and Leeds Rhinos are represented with the largest contingent in the England Academy squad, providing 15 players combined while Carnegie Challenge Cup winners Wigan Warriors have five players included. Warrington Wolves and Bradford Bulls both have four players selected with Castleford Tigers represented by a trio of young prospects. Super League newcomers Widnes Vikings are joined by Huddersfield Giants with two representatives each while Hull FC, Salford City Reds, London Broncos and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats all have one player each included in the 39 strong squad. In the England Youth squad, Wigan provide the bulk of the 42, with nine young Warriors called involved. Leeds have six players included and Warrington have four young stars named in the squad while Huddersfield, St Helens, Bradford, Hull FC and London Broncos all have two players each. There are also 13 players included in the squad who have been identified through regional development centres. “The Youth side includes a lot of newcomers to the international environment and that helps keep us on our toes as staff because we have to make it fresh and interesting for the lads every time we come together,” said Elliott. “It’s a real honour for me to work with all these young professionals and it makes me very proud to see how they progress and develop. There were 10 players from the 2012 Academy test group who have gone on to first team Super League level this season and that’s the sort of success we all want to see. “It’s great to be able to work with these players and they are all very keen to push themselves with an eye on Steve McNamara’s ETS squads so it keeps me working hard to try and give these players the tools to try and better themselves.” The 2012 squads in full:
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| Tuesday 29 th November 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Harold Matthews and SG Ball squads will play their first trial in preparation for the 2012 season on Friday 2nd December 2011 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Erskineville Oval. The Harold Matthews trial with kick-off at 5.00pm with the SG Ball trial to follow at 6.30pm. The match will be played at Erskineville Oval. The venue is located on Fox Ave, Ashmore St, Copeland St and Mitchell Rd in Erskineville. JUNIOR REPS TRIAL |
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Leeds Rhinos youngster Luke Briscoe has been called into the England Academy squad for the match against the Australian Institute of Sport at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday December 4 (3.00pm) Briscoe, younger brother of England and Hull FC winger Tom, has been joined by Rhinos’ team-mate James Duckworth as the latest additions to a side which is hoping to build on the success of the 2010 Academy squad which secured a 2-0 series victory against the Australian Schoolboys. “It’s great to be able to bring Luke into the squad,” said England Academy coach Dave Elliott. “We’ve been monitoring his progress all year and been in close contacts with his coaches and we’re delighted to have him in the mix. “He’s a very enthusiastic player and a great presence around the camp. He’s got lots of skill in attack and he’s very tough in defence as well and a great talent to add to the squad.” Elliott guided his charges to a 2-0 series win over the Australian Schoolboys last autumn and he’ll be hoping to see that success continue this year when the AIS arrive at Leigh. “We’re all very excited about getting back into camp and preparing to take on some of the best young players in the world,” he said. “We’re very excited about this group of players and because they are Under-17 instead of Under-18, it will be interesting to see how they cope with making the step up to the Academy level. “It’s a massive test for our lads and even more so because they’ll be playing against lads who are 18 and 19, but we have a lot of belief. “There’s been a feel-good factor in the Academy set-up which started after the series win last year and it’s had a domino effect since then. The new players in the squad have really picked up on that and we want to keep the momentum going now and take it into 2012. “The AIS are a talented outfit. They beat the French Under-17s 40-12 last week and they’re playing the French Under-19s as well so they will have some match practice before they play us. They’ll be a strong and powerful outfit, which is exactly what you’d expect from an Australian team, but we’ve got plenty of talent at our disposal as well.” England Academy Under-17 Squad to face the Australian Institute of Sport (professional and community club in brackets):
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| 2012 HAROLD MATTHEWS & SG BALL SUMMER SQUADS The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are pleased to announce their Harold Matthews Cup & SG Ball Cup Summer Train on Squads for 2012. The squads will further be reduced after the pre Christmas trials against South Sydney (December 2nd, 2011) and the Sydney Roosters (December 14th, 2011). The final squad of 25 players will be selected after the trial against Penrith (January 21st , 2012).
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| WA REDS ACADEMY UPDATE The WA Reds Academy started intense training on the 21st October, they train every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday as well as every second Saturday, the Academy will train right through till the 15th March 2012. This year the Academy will travel to Sydney on the 25th January 2012 where they will stay for (4) four nights and play (2) two games against NSW Academy teams. Ian Prout is adapting to his role as Academy Coordinator quite well with the help from Dave Wallis, Mal McGivern and the WARL’s Dale Christy, Jo-Anne Prout, Ed Easter, Eddie Proudler and Tom Fry. Please see a list below of the WA Reds Academy; Akua RobertsBrayden Burdett Brody Whitehead Cody McDonald Corry Tearoa Daymn Podger Ethan Williams Falcon Peeni Harry Leddy Henare Gillett-Mani Ieuan Bowser Jared Spencer Jason Nicholls Jaxon Ewe-Edmonds Jayden Hocking Jordan Owen-Turner Jordan Sbrana Kobe Tuhakaraina Morehu Turnbull Sheldon Neilson Tiontin Raoren Tom Spence Jake Doubikin |
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 AIS TOO GOOD FOR FRENCH U19sThe touring AIS squad showed pleany of passion this morning in their opening match of the 2011 tour smashing the highly rated French under 19 in St Gaudens. The Australians havent had a victory on French soil for many years and shows the success of the Brian Johnston & Col Matthews AIS Program. FULL TIME SCORE French u19s 12 - 40 AIS |
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| Tuesday 22 nd November 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KEEBRA SET TO DEFEND NATIONAL SEVENS TITLE Reknowned Rugby League nursery, Keebra Park will switch codes this weekend as it prepares to defend its National Rugby Union Sevens Title. Winning the competition in 2010 was a real achievement for the small State High School from the Gold Coast and a win this year would cement the school as a force to be reckoned with in the seven man code. The final is to be played a s a curtain raiser to the Hyperion Gold Coast Sevens at Skilled Park and is sure to draw a huge crowd. Winning the Qld component of the National competition earlier this year, qualified Keebra who will now face off against the best talent from the other States. The knock out rounds are being held at the Tallebudgera Sports Camp and the Final will be played at Skilled Park later in the day. |
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| Wednesday 9 th November 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LIONS COMEBACK THWARTS FRANCE ENGLAND U18 COMMUNITY LIONS 25 FRANCE 22 Hemel Stags played host to the first of this autumn's England Community Lions U18 three test matches, the first international of any kind to be staged in the town. A good sized crowd managed to drag themselves away from the firework celebrations to watch what turned out to be a very closely fought game between two attack-minded teams. Despite their physical advantage the hosts fell behind in the early exchanges as loose forward Hakim Miloudi threw an audacious dummy that split the Lions defence as he cruised over underneath the posts for a try that Joan Gausch improved. The confident visitors increased their lead just three minutes later when quick hands enabled Mickael Rouch the chance to force his way over and Gausch was again on target as the visitors took control. The England fight back began in the 12th minute as centre Matty Welham sliced through for a well-taken touchdown that scrum half Lewis Sheridan improved. However, their joy was short-lived as full back Valentin Ferret produced a sensational burst that saw him race 70 metres for a brilliant solo try, with Guasch again on target. With the game 30 minutes old England got themselves back into the contest again, mainly thanks to the impressive Sheridan. A high kick from the Wigan St Cuthberts man caused panic in the French defence and winger Leon Tatlock was on hand to cross out wide for another converted effort which made it 12-18. With time running out in the first period the visitors re-asserted their dominance as the captialised on some sloppy English handling. After regaining possession the French made no mistake as the ball was moved out wide allowing Tony Maurel just enough space to crash over in the corner and make it 22-12 at the break. The French continued to apply the pressure in the opening minutes of the second half and the Lions defence needed to be at its best to make they kept in the game, although they did have one let off as Ugo Prez has a try ruled out for a forward pass. With that let off England now slowly got themselves back into the contest and after going close they eventually got back into the game with a quickly taken tap from Marcus O'Brien getting the French on the back foot and as they ball spun the ball out wide Tatlock was again on hand to finish well. Sheridan added the extras from a difficult angle and the gap was cut to just four points. With the game entering the final ten minutes it was all to play for and man-of-the-match Sheridan again provided the inspiration. Tom Rogers tried to force his way over from close range on the final tackle but was denied by some strong French defence, however, the centre somehow managed to get the ball away where it reached Sheridan who regathered his own clever grubber kick to sprint over and level matters. After dusting himself down he then duly slotted over the conversion and England were ahead for the first time.
Half Time : 12-22 Referee : Darren Hayes |
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| HIGH SCHOOL GRAND FINAL WRAP 2011 A healthy crowd was at Jubilee Oval on Sunday to witness the Outback High Schools Rugby League grand finals for 2011. Wilcannia Boomerangs claimed the under 14s premiership and Menindee Yabbies won the under 17s title. The Under 14s was played between Wilcannia Boomerangs and Broken Hill. Wilcannia won the game 32-12 in an entertaining and attacking game. The young sides putting on a fantastic show for the crowd. Victor Ward won the Man of the Match award for the game after playing an outstanding game, having a hand in nearly all of the Boomerangs tries and scoring two himself. Ethan Whyman was another star player scoring two tries and kicking four goals. Ethan and Victor led the way for a young Wilcannia team, they seemed to break the line at will and caused the Broken Hill defence headaches all day. James Dennis and Eli McCann played starring roles in a losing side and tried their hardest all day. Both teams showed they have great potential and will improve for next season. Wilcannia again played in the under 17s final but this time the Menindee Yabbies got the better of them. Menidee won the premiership 34-26. Both sides showed how much talent they have with their different styles of play. Menindee were structured in their play and it payed off. Their set moves and simple tactics were too much for the Boomerangs to handle. Shane Blore and Jory Darrigo played outstanding games for Menindee scoring two tries each. The Boomerangs like to play off the cuff football but on Sunday it did not pay off as dropped ball cost them a few tries. Any other day Wilcannia could easily put on another 30 points but unfortunately Menindee had the answers on the day. Phillip Hunter scored two tries for Wilcannia setting a fine example for the other players to follow. Jordan Martin and Trevor Harris tried their hardest all day and were two of Wilcannia’s best. Menindee’s Ricky Newman won the man of the match award after an outstanding game leading the Yabbies to their first under 17s premiership. It was great to see a full crowd at the ground for both games supporting our juniors. It looked like all of Menidee turned out to cheer on their future stars. And with such a large crowd behind them the young Yabbies did not want to disappoint. All they juniors who played will be future stars and it’s great to see Junior Rugby League alive and well in our region. UNDER 14S Menindee Yabbies defeated Wilcannia Boomerangs 34 – 26 Menindee Yabbies – 34 Tries: Shane Blore (2), Jory Darrigo (2), Michael Kelly, Jak Sloane & Cameron Philp Goals: Shane Blore (2) & Jory Darrigo Wilcannia Boomerangs – 26 Tries: Phillip Hunter (2), Trevor Harris, Leonard Swann & Adam Whyman Goals: Jordan Martin (2) & Allan Whyman Man Of The Match: Ricky Newman |
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| Thursday 3 rd November 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Holy Cross College, Ryde, student Curtis Sironen is following in his father’s footsteps in more ways than one. He is attending the same high school as his father, Balmain Tigers legend Paul Sironen, while also playing in the Tigers under-20 Toyota Cup side. Curtis, who is in Year 12, captained NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) to victory in the recent Australian Secondary Schoolboy Rugby League tournament, and was named in the Australian Schoolboys team to tour New Zealand in September. On being appointed captain of the CCC team, Curtis said: “I was playing with some great players so having them look up to me was a real honour. I had to lead by example, and it was great that we won the championship.” Curtis led his side to an upset win over Queensland Schoolboys in the final. The win was all the more enjoyable as the Queensland side had beaten NSW by 40 points in the pool matches. “They towelled us up a bit early on, which made winning the final even better,” said Curtis. Holy Cross’ A Grade league team has made it through to the semi-finals of the national Arrive Alive Cup, and Curtis notes that playing for Holy Cross is just as good as playing with the Tigers. “Playing in the school team is great because you’re playing with your mates who you see every day. A great culture is created when you’re playing for your school, which is different to other representative teams you may play in.” A strenuous training regime for both teams dictates much of Curtis’ weekly routines, but being well aware of the benefits of a ‘plan B’ for life after football, Curtis is eyeing a degree in sports science while pushing for a Tigers first grade spot. He acknowledges the importance of his final year of school. “Trying to balance it all with my HSC is the main thing. Time management is important and my parents ensure I’m putting in the hours for study. Next year, I’ll really focus more on footy.” Having a well-known ex-student for a father hasn’t affected his time at Holy Cross. “Dad’s told me a few stories about his time at Holy Cross, but since Year 7, I’ve just been treated as one of the boys. I’ve made great friends and received a great education as well.” His advice to boys thinking about going to Holy Cross is to definitely consider it. “You make good friends, the sport is great, and you get a well-rounded education.” Part of this education is the spiritual development of students through the charism of the Patrician Brothers, founders of the college. Reflecting on the influence of the Brothers, particularly Brothers Mark and Patrick, who interact with the students on a daily basis, Curtis says: “Br Mark and Br Patrick instil in us a lot of respect for ourselves, the teachers and each other. Looking out for your mates is a big message they like to pass on. Br Mark is a great supporter of the school’s teams, and he is often in the crowd cheering us on.” Curtis looks up to current Sydney Roosters NRL player Mitchell Pearce, due to his similar family background and schoolboy rugby league pathway. Mitchell’s father Wayne played alongside Curtis’ father Paul at the Tigers. Mitchell, a Marist College North Shore old-boy, also made the Australian Schoolboys side before debuting in the Sydney Roosters first grade side in 2007. “I look up to him as a player and say ‘g’day’ through Facebook occasionally,” says Curtis. “He’s done really well since leaving school.” When asked about his chances of running on to the field with current Tigers stars Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall, Curtis concludes by saying: “It’s a big dream of mine, but I don’t expect it too soon, though. If I keep training hard, you never know!” |
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| Tuesday 2nd November 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
St Johns Eagles have been awarded the 2011 Canterbury-Bankstown Junior Rugby League Club of the Year on top of being crowned Junior League Club Champions. St Johns Eagles fielded 24 teams and registered 365 players in 2011 with 10 of the 18 eligible teams making the semi finals, and 7 of these being division 1 sides who progressed to the finals and 5 of which made Grand Finals. St Johns President George Khoury said in the Club's Yearbook, "Our achievements this year in the ability to provide the education of the game of Rugby League packaged up with the disciplines and hard work ethic to kids from all backgrounds is what makes St Johns different to the rest. "2011 saw the coming of almost a whole new committee that worked hard to continue the great service the club has been used to in the past." St Johns Eagles Secretary Michael Shannon said in the Club's Yearbook, "This award presented to St Johns is a reflection of the people who are involved in all areas of the club including our precedors who have made St Johns the great club it is today so well done to one and all." |
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| Monday 31 st October 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
THE humble yet passionate spirit of Sam Faust has now been immortalised by his former school. When Kirwan State High School holds its sports awards night on November 4 Faust will have his name and face etched on the school's inaugural Spirit of Rugby League medal. The former North Queensland Cowboy died earlier this year after a brave fight against leukaemia, remembered by countless people across the North as a champion player and a champion man. Faust moved from his hometown of Proserpine to Kirwan High to pursue his rugby league dreams and in 2002 captained the school's open side to the Queensland final of the schoolboys' Arrive Alive Cup. "Sam would be extremely humbled," Sam's widow Kya said. "I know he had some really good years with Kirwan High and I know he enjoyed himself. "Kirwan was special to him. I met Sam when I was 15 and I spent my high school years with him there and, yes, there are a lot of funny stories to be told." Mrs Faust said the medal would have been a hit with her husband. "It's beautiful, they've done a really good job on it. Whoever receives it is a very lucky person," she said. The Sam Faust medal will be presented to the rugby league player who best displayed the qualities for which Sam was known - commitment and fairness. "He never made lots of money out of football but what he did have was a camaraderie and passion for the game," Kya said. "He never got into any trouble. He was just a quiet achiever and hardworking knockabout bloke." Kirwan rugby league coach Dave Ackers said Faust won the school's spirit of sport award back in 2002 and was considered a legend within Kirwan's footy circle. "He went through a lot of pain with Year 12 with shin splints,," he said. "Well he thought they were shin splints, but they ended up being fractures in his leg." Kirwan High principal John Livingstone said it was only fitting that the school's latest sporting award be dedicated in Faust's memory. "He was a very humble man and I think that was the thing about him. He had a passion for football and he just dedicated himself totally," Livingstone said. "He even played in an NRL final so ... he just did a great job for everybody." |
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| Saturday 29 th October 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The next group of young representative rugby league players from Cape York Peninsula have started a two-day camp in Weipa to prepare them for an exciting stage of their football careers. Under the guidance of North Queensland Toyota Cowboys development manager Dean Payne, Cowboys under-20 forward Chris Grevsmuhl, Weipa-based QRL development officer Cameron Miller and Cairns-based ARL development officer Robbie Moore, the group of 65 11-year-olds hail from a range of towns and communities on the Cape. They are bidding to become rep players for the first time in the Peninsula under-12 team which will contest next year’s Queensland titles. The two-day camp, made possible by the support of the Department of Communities (Sport and Recreation Services), includes coaching clinics and matches and is part of a sweep through the Cape by the development team that also includes the Northern Pride’s Chey Bird and Frances Mosby. They started off in Cairns on Monday and also visited schools in Coen and Lockhart River before arriving in Weipa. On Sunday, the tour will stop off in Mapoon before it finishes in Arukun on Monday. “We’ve already seen a number of young talented footballers along the way and I’m sure there’ll be more to come,” Payne said. “Just as importantly, the tour is a chance for youngsters who may have an interest in rugby league, but haven’t become fully involved in the sport as yet, to have some fun in the clinics and see if they’d like to take up the game. “Over the course of the trip, we’ll come into contact with hundreds of kids who love rugby league which makes it very enjoyable for all of us involved.” |
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| Friday 28 th October 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Congratulation to all the players selected on a fine 2011 footy season who have been selected in the 2012 AIS Rugby League Program. The AIS rugby league program offers an excellent opportunity to players from all over Australia except Metro Sydney, this latest camp have players from Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Victoria, Queensland and NSW Country. The 46 or so 2012 AIS inductee's have been at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra this week training under some of the most capable junior rugby league coaches in the nation. Whats on offer to these talented young men is an AIS Scholarship, the chance to learn and progress through the rugby league ranks to the NRL with dozens of AIS scholarship holders going on to play not only NRL footy, but in some cases represent their State and their Country. Each year the AIS rugby league program takes a squad of about 25 or so players overseas on the trip of a life time to play test matches against the French and English rep teams. More soon |
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| Friday 21 st October 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Sharks under 17’s Academy squad will take on the powerful touring St Helens Academy team in a match to be played this Sunday. The young Sharks, most of who will go on to represent the club in the SG Ball competition in 2012, will face a formidable challenge against a St Helens team which boasts five England Academy Squad players. The St Helens Academy, which makes regular visits to Australian shores as a part of their development program, has already played and soundly beaten the Wests Juniors so far on their 2011 tour and were scheduled to play the Central Coast prior to the Sharks match on Sunday. St Helens in fact have an outstanding record from previous tours, having lost just one match on their previous three visits, that loss coincidently coming at the hands of the Sharks back in 2009. In a testimony to the strength of their academy program, in one match during the UK Super League season in September, 15 of the 17 players in the St Helens first grade side came through the St Helens academy, with a 16th player having joined the club as an 18-year-old. The Sharks however will present them with strong opposition, with the Cronulla club having high hopes for a number of the local players within the age group. The match is scheduled for a 3.00pm kickoff on Sunday, October 23, at Forshaw Park at Sylvania Waters (Southern Districts Rugby), with a $5 adult entry fee to be charged. A canteen and bar will operate on the day. The Sharks 17’s Academy Team v St Helens will be as follows: 15 Brandon Sweeney (Gymea) 16 Ben Chahoud (Cronulla Caringbah) 17 Blake Osgood (De La Salle) |
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| Thursday 20 th October 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The touring St. Helens Academy side have won the 2nd match on this years tour defeating the Central Coast Centurions at Morrie Breen oval last nite. In a tight match, the visitors only had a 12 nil lead at half time. St. Helens leaked 14 points to the Centurions, then put on another 24 second half points for a good 14 - 36 winSt. Helens are very well drilled and very strong physically. A few Saints play in their Colts team which is equilavent to our Toyota Cup and amazingly some of them are only 16/17 years old. St. Helens have a couple days off before their next game against a very good Cronulla Sharks Academy side on Sunday at Shark Park |
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SAINTS Academy produced a fine performance to beat Central Coast 36-14 and maintain their 100 per cent start to the Australia Tour. Tom Roughley grabbed a brace whilst Mark Percival kicked five goals to hand them their second win of the trip. Despite dominating the opening quarter of an hour, Saints couldn't break a resolute Coast defence. But once Corey Lee broke through and fed Alex Clare the Academy were on top. A stunning 70-metre break from Mark Percival then doubled Saints lead following Adam Swift's strong carry and Roughley's short side pass. Going in 12-0 at half time, Saints knew they needed to keep up the pressure if they were to repeat the 26-6 win over Wests Tigers earlier in the week. And they did just that, making it 18-0 on 43 minutes when Lewis Galbraith scored after good work from Brad Ashurst, Danny Yates and Dom Speakman. Percival notched his third conversion of the afternoon - but Central Coast cut the lead back five minutes later. Saints weren't to give it up though, and Roughley bagged the first of a brace when Danny Yates took on the line and combined with Jones and Speakman for the hooker to cross. And it got better as Roughley got his second on 69 minutes thanks to great work from Percival and Clare. The Central Coast came back with a couple of scores of their own, but they sandwiched a fine Adam Swift effort. With five minutes left Jamie Tracey swept up a loose ball and scorched up the field, being tackled 10 from the line. But Jordon Heaton moved into dummy half and fed Swift who used his pace and power to go over by the posts. Jack Jones tagging on the extras. "This was another solid performance by the Saints," Head of Youth Mike Rush said. "A number of the young players once again showed they have a bright future at the club. "Speakman and Yates had a good game at half-back whilst Savelio, Charnock, Percival, Ashurst and Richards at prop all went well. "But we aren't resting on our laurels and know we will need to get better if we are to beat both Cronulla and Penrith later in the tour." MATCH SUMMARY: CENTRAL COAST: SAINTS: HT: 12-0 TEAMS: Central Coast: Lee; Parry, Galbraith, Percival, Tracey, Speakman; Yates, Ashurst; Foster, Richards, Clare, Tilley, Savelio. Subs: Charnock, Swift, Jones, Conor, Fields, Roughley, Heaton, Wood, Scott. |
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| Wednesday 19 th October 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SAINTS won their first tour match 26-6 against Wests Juniors writes Jason Emery. Saints started off in impressive fashion in drizzly rain and skipped out to a 14-0 lead in the first 15 minutes with tries to Adam Swift, Mark Percival and Greg Wilde, the latter after a superb offload from Luke Thompson. As the weather deteriorated the game became scrappy and Saints started to turn over too much ball, especially early in the tackle count. Saints should have been further ahead but weren't clinical enough and bombed a couple of chances to extend their lead. The defence was magnificent though when the Wests team dominated possession and field position prior to the half time break they held out for six sets in a row. St Helens wrapped up the game with further second half tries to Brad Ashurst and Mark Percival, set up well by Dom Speakman and conceded just the one to Wests for a final scoreline of 26-6. Apart from a few bumps and bruises, no major injuries were reported and the Coaching staff were happy to get a win under their belts against strong opposition in tough conditions. Standout players were Adam Hesketh, Greg Richards and Adam Swift. Saints: Charnock; Parry, Percival, Swift, Wilde; Speakman, Yates; Richards, Foster, Hesketh, Thompson, Clare, Tilley. Subs: Savellio, Wood, Webster, Fozzard, Skupski, Ashurst, Heaton. |
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Tuesday 18th October, 2011 - 09:31 THE players and staff started the build up to game 2 this morning with two sessions - one in the morning then another in the evening, writes Mike Rush, Head of Youth. As a way of continuing the active rest we also took in the Olympic Pool and spent a couple of hours both training in the main pool and messing about on the indoor slides. The weather has been very kind to the group so far so the kids and staff enjoyed their couple of hours away from the sun. On the swimming front Tommy Martyn and his team of merry men won the front crawl relay with a big helping hand from Adam Hesketh; Adam later admitting he swam to a very high level up until the age of 14. The group spent time outside the main stadium before the pool session and looked at the various records and winners from the 2000 Olympics' which when up close are incredible, I think the most impressive is the distance marked out for the winning triple jump by Jonathan Edwards. This said Trigger (Lewis Galbraith), with some confidence for a kid from sunny Oldham, thought he could do just as well given the chance. All though it kills me to admit this it was my turn to drop the comment of the day today. While filling up the juice container (one of my many jobs while the rest of the staff catch the sun) I called out to one of the players to turn the tap to cold. Only to realise there is only a cold tap and the reason for the warm water was the hose pipe had been in the sun all day and therefore warm...... I have thought long and hard who I could blame this on but in the end Killer (Neil Kilshaw), Dec Hardman and co get enough stick so I thought I better own up to this myself. It just goes to show when working hard at times the brain just switches off for a rest every now and again. On a positive note we managed to get Tommy Martyn and his partner in crime Dec Hardman in the kitchen today... bad news it was only to make themselves a brew, never mind we will keep trying. Tommy did actually make breakfast this morning with this group only to call on the help of Dec to help rescue the porridge before it stuck to the bottom of the pan. Just goes to show you can teach OLD dogs new tricks after all. |
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FIVE St Helens youngsters have been selected to form part of the England Academy Squad to face the Australian Institute of Sport on Sunday, December 4 at Leigh Sports Village (3.00pm) Danny Yates, Dom Speakman, Greg Richards (pictured), Greg Wilde and Mark Percival have all been named by Academy head coach Dave Elliott in the 21-strong squad and they are joined by players from nine other Engage Super League clubs. Saints have the largest contingent in the squad, with five youngsters represented while Bradford are close behind with four representatives and Warrington with three. Wigan Warriors and Leeds Rhinos both have two players in the squad while Hull FC, Harlequins RL, Huddersfield Giants, Widnes Vikings and Wakefield Wildcats all have one player each selected. "We're all looking forward to what lies in store and the players themselves are excited about the test," said Elliott. "It's a different challenge for us. We played against France in the summer but this will be a different type of test and we'll be going up against a team, which I'm sure will have lots of quality. "We had some good experiences against France when we played them and to cap the year off with a win against the AIS is something the lads would all like to do. They all want to finish the season on a high and this game is a great opportunity to do that. "But this is also a great test for the players. This game offers the guys a great opportunity to prove themselves at this level and gives us, as coaches, an opportunity to see how they have developed through the season." Elliott led the England Academy to a 2-0 series win over the Australian Schoolboys last December, but he's keen to point out that the achievements of the past will have no bearing on this squad and that the game against the AIS will be an exciting one for everyone involved. "Playing at this level gives the players a platform for them to launch their careers from," he said. "The success of some of last year's squad in taking the next step showed that this is a stage to progress from. "However last year's results are history because this is a different squad. We're not worrying about last year, the focus is on what's coming ahead." ENGLAND ACADEMY U17 SQUAD: Ben Curry (Warrington Wolves)Connor Farrell (Wigan Warriors) Connor Spencer (Bradford Bulls) Danny Yates (St Helens) Dom Speakman (St Helens) George Williams (Wigan Warriors) Greg Richards (St Helens) Greg Wilde (St Helens) Jack Cockerham (Bradford Bulls) Jack Owens (Widnes Vikings) James Cunningham (Hull FC) James Saltonstall (Warrington Wolves) John Bateman (Bradford Bulls) Jordan Baldwinson (Leeds Rhinos) Josh Johnson (Huddersfield Giants) Liam McAvoy (Bradford Bulls) Mark Percival (St Helens) Mike Learmonth (Warrington Wolves) Mike McMeekan (Harlequins RL) Sam Doherty (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats) Stevie Ward (Leeds Rhinos) |
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| Monday 17th October 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Queensland Academy of Sport under 16's smashed the NZ Maori 16's yesterday in New Zealand 62 - 4 in a one sided encounter. The local boys will get an opportunity for some revenge in the 2nd game at Massey Park tomorrow when the Queensland boys take on the powerful NZ u16 Residents side. AIS coaches Brian Johnston and Col Mattews are over their watching the Qld boys when they will be offering AIS Scholarships to a few of the touring players. Taking about the AIS, the 2011/12 inductees will be in Canberra next week with 50 odd new faces. |
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| Sunday 16 th October 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WESTS Greater Northern Academy selectors have settled on a 41-man squad for this summer’s program after a marathon process. After some 70 players nominated to be part of the program and plenty of impressive performances at the trials in Tamworth on Saturday the coaches had a hard time picking the side. Head coach Peter Stevens stressed that a number of players can feel “very unlucky” to have missed out. On the other hand there were some players who stood out so much they had to be chosen. He said West Lions first graders Mitch Denning and Kurt Aldridge were among them but utility Ben Jarvis also showed up well. “He was terrific,” he said. “He was probably the best forward there. “Blokes like Aldridge and Dening picked themselves.” In addition to the players who stand out there are those who fly under the radar. Stevens said the DVD was vital in unearthing those players that can be missed on the day. After viewing the video, those players were rewarded. “Sometimes there’s those kids who do a lot of work but they don’t get noticed as much,” Stevens said. “That’s why the video is so good. “Kids like Alf Newman, from Moree, he works hard all game and you don’t notice him as much but he’ll get in.” Stevens also made special mention of Hayden Cunneen from Muswellbrook, who was impressive on the wing but could make a good centre, Inverell half Matt Fox, Tamworth’s Troy Martin and Scone’s Jarrod Wicks in the forwards. The positions that were hardest to pick were hooker, halfback and second row where there was an over-abundance of talent. Several players in those positions are particularly unlucky. The 24 new players chosen join 17 who are returning from last year. There is a good spread from Groups 4, 19 and 21. The squad will now come together on October 29 at Scully Park for its induction and fitness testing and then return fot the annual camp at Wests on November 12 and 13. |
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| Saturday 15 th October 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs forward Dale Finucane and Cronulla Sharks halfback Chad Townsend have been named co-captains of the ARL Junior Kangaroos for their one-off international against the Junior Kiwis this Sunday at Ausgrid Stadium, Newcastle. The Andrew Patmore coached Junior Kangaroos will have their final training session today in Newcastle before their match which is scheduled to kick-off at 1.45pm. The side features 11 players with NRL experience as well as 2011 Toyota Cup team of the year members Jack De Belin, Alex McKinnon (St George Illawarra), Kane Evans (Sydney Roosters), Jacob Miller (Wests Tigers), Dale Finucane (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Dane Gagai (Brisbane Broncos) and Kyle Feldt (North Queensland Cowboys). The squad will have their jerseys presented tonight by Kangaroos Captain Darren Lockyer and Vice-captain Cameron Smith. The ARL Junior Kangaroos will line up as follows: |
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| Friday 14 th October 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BULLDOGS 2012 HAROLD MATTHEWS TRAIN ON SQUAD The following players have been selected in the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Harold Matthews Train On Squad for the 2012 season. Training will commence on Wednesday 2nd November 2011 at the Bulldogs Junior Reps Gym in Bankstown with the induction night to be held on Thursday 3rd November 2011 at Lakemba Services Club.
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| CENTRAL COAST CENTURIONS Junior Reps Summer squads and training times TRAINING
Phil Foster (Coach) 0412 468 560 |
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| Thursday 13 th October 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Keebra Park SHS have won Open Boys division of the All Schools touch football competition after a hard fought 5 tries to 4 victory over Rockhampton’s Emmaus College at the White Hills Sporting Complex in Brisbane at the weekend. Defending their title, this year’s success makes it three straight wins in the competition and cements Keebra’s reputation as the best touch football team in this age group in the State. While Keebra Park has always been considered a traditionally strong rugby league school, many of its past graduates including, Benji Marshall, Corey Norman, Greg Eastwood and the newly crowned English Super League’s “Man of Steel” Rangi Chase, all played touch football for the school and their legacy evident in the latest crop of athletes. A semi-final win over Bundaberg SHS set up the Grand Final encounter with Emmaus College who had disposed of Kirwan SHS in their semi and were looking like the team to beat, but Keebra’s dogged determination in defence proved the difference on the day and paved the way for the win. Coach Ben Woolf praised his teams spirit and attitude. “Some of these boys hadn’t played much touch football before but had the basic skills from their rugby league. Once we worked on a bit of structure I knew they were a chance and they stuck to the game plan and came up trumps” He said. The boys now have a change of focus as they prepare for the upcoming Australian Schoolboys Rugby Sevens finals in November that are to be played at Skilled Park in conjunction with the World Series Sevens competition. The photograph shows Rapene Bruce rucking the ball up in the final |
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| Tuesday 11 th October 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ACADEMY COACHES MULL OVER SQUAD WESTS Greater Northern Academy coaches have a hell of a job ahead of them as they try to select a squad for this summer’s program following Saturday’s trials. With big numbers and plenty of quality on show at Jack Woolaston Oval, the process of picking the squad has new head coach Peter Stevens wondering how he and his fellow coaches will perform the final cut. “It’s going to be very difficult,” he said. “It’s the most hotly-contested trial I’ve seen in my four years and Bones (Scott Bone) said it was the hardest one to pick that he’s seen. “I think what we do pick is going to be good.” 60 players from Groups 4, 19 and 21 came to the trial. They were split into four teams and each played three short games. The positions that will be most difficult to pick are the halves, hooker and second-row spots where a number of players impressed. The coaches will use a DVD of the games to help name the side on Wednesday. “We’ll have to watch the video,” Stevens said. “But it’s a good situation to be in. “That’s what it’s about.” The coaches will add a few of the best older players to the under 18s squad that already contains at least 16 players who are returning from last year. The under 17s squad will then comprise about 20 of the best younger players. Stevens admits they may have to take more than 40 players into the academy this year and even then there are likely to be a few players who are unlucky when the squad is named. The squad will be named in this Wednesday’s Leader. It will meet at Scully Park in Tamworth for its induction and fitness testing on October 29. |
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| ST JOHN'S CELEBRATE JUNIOR LEAGUE SEASON St John’s will celebrate season 2011 on Sunday with their annual presentation day at St John’s Primary Hall on Sheraton Road. Starting at 10am, the day will be an opportunity to reflect on a successful rugby league season and for club members to gather in a social setting. This year has seen the club with more than 200 registered players competing in 13 different teams (7s to 15s) under the St John’s banner. The under-7s to under-9s mini and mod teams displayed plenty of skill and sportsmanship each Saturday in their gala non-competition games. The under-10s to 15s were very successful with all teams making semi-finals, and six teams played in grand finals. The under-10 Blues, under-11 Golds and under-12 Golds were premiership winners. All players from under-7s to 10s will receive a momento of their participation for the club this year. In all the competitive age groups, most improved and “Dubbo CYMS Old Boys” best and fairest awards will also be presented for all under-10s to 15s teams. The highlight of the day will be the presentation of the Peter Hughes Memorial Clubman of the Year award. Other awards will be life player awards to the senior players, 100-game and 150-game players, Garry Hand Appreciation award, Bob Maxwell Mod Player of the Year, Jason Maxwell trophy to an under-13 player and Malcolm Bowman award to an under-11 player for outstanding contribution and effort for the season. St John’s has a rich and proud history as a junior sporting club within Dubbo, and will be celebrating 40 years in season 2012. The club was started in 1972 and since then has had plenty of players reach the pinnacle of the game. Retired NRL Bulldogs captain Andrew Ryan; Melbourne Storm under-20s coach Dean Pay; current Bulldogs under-20s player Lionel O’Mally and Rugby League Week journalist Matt Logue are just some of the former members of the club who have gone onto bigger and better things in rugby league. Group 11 club CYMS have always had a close and healthy link with St John’s. The senior club will be presenting the annual scholarship to a player of promise from within the junior club. The CYMS grand final team that defeated Parkes in early September contained seven former St John’ juniors in the first grade squad. The presentation day will start at 10am with a free barbecue (drinks $1) followed by individual team gatherings and jumper presentations. All St John’s players will receive their playing jumper. Every four years the St John’s club renew their jumpers and jumper sponsorship. This year the tradition continues as a new jumper will be on show for the 40th year celebrations next year. There will also be opportunity for players and parents to purchase team photos. This will then lead into the official club presentation and awards to be hosted by Matt Walkom at 11am in the St John’s Primary Hall. |
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LIVERPOOL FOOTY SCHOOLS WIN GRAND FINALS AT WESTS LEAGUES CUP ASHCROFT, James Busby and Hoxton Park high schools all won titles and trophies at the Wests Leagues Cup grand final day on Thursday at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Six grand finals were played across three divisions in the under 13s and under 15s age groups. The Wests Leagues Cup, now in its seventh year, is a Department of Education sanctioned and Wests Tigers endorsed rugby league competition for high schools in the Wests Magpies Junior Rugby League and Country Rugby League Group 6 regions. Wests Leagues Cup official Alex Melville said 23 schools competed. Ashcroft won the under 15s first division grand final, defeating Sarah Redfern High School 30-24. In the under 15s second division decider, James Busby High School defeated Miller Technology High School, 40-16, in a local derby. In the under 15s third division grand final Hoxton Park defeated Leumeah 36-30. In the under 13s second division game Thomas Reddall defeated Busby 46-0. Ashcroft's under 13 first division team lost its grand final, 22-14 against Picton. |
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| Sunday 9 th October 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A clean sweep proved elusive for the NZ Residents 18s when they played their second match against the Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League (ASSRL) team this afternoon at Bruce Pulman Park. After the young New Zealanders 28 - 26 win last Sunday, the large crowd that turned out hoped to see the young guns make it two nil, but it wasn't to be with the Australians proving too strong and running out 40 points to 16 winners. After lining up for anthems and a rousing haka, the match kicked off in good conditions. The young Kiwis started strongly, they made some great runs putting the Australians under pressure. Unfortunately a final forward pass saw the New Zealanders first try called back. The Australians turned this to their advantage, with the ASSRL number 9, Luke Vescio attacking the NZ line and nearly crossing before being pushed back. A quick play of the ball saw Curtis Sironen, son of Australian great Paul Sironen, dive across for the first try of the match. This was converted by their Number 11 Sam Harrold and the score was 6 - nil to ASSRL. Not to be outdone the New Zealanders ran hard and Trent Bishop (Counties Manukau Stingrays) scored a try in the corner, which went unconverted, 6-4. From there however it was largely one way traffic with the big Australian forwards, most notably Jake Trbojevic and David Klemmer proving difficult to put down, both managing a number of tackle breaks, line busts and offloads which gave their team momentum. Tries to Kane Elgey, George Jennings, Matui Fukofuka, Jake Trbojevic and a conversion took the Australians to 24 - 4 at half time. In the second half the New Zealanders came out fighting and making great use of the wind kicked the ball through the line and when the Australians failed to ground it, Viliami Lolohea was on hand to drop on it for the try. The next four tries went to the Australians and all but took the game out of reach, before the Residents fought back scoring twice before the Australians rounded out their win with a final try. Tony Kemp, NZRL Football Manager said "It is a strength of the Australians that they always bounce back from a loss and they showed that again today. It's nice to know that the NZ Resident 18s can compete against the Australian Schoolboys, as the series result shows." Next up is a match for the NZ Resident 16s who take on their Queensland Academy counterparts at Massey Park on October 18 at 1pm. NZ RESIDENTS 18s: 16 Viliami Lolohea, David Fusitu'a, Trent Bishop, Tama Koopu). AUSTRALIAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS: 40 (Matiu Fukofuka (2), George Jennings, Curtis Sironen, Kane Elgey, David Klemmer, Jake Trbojevic, Andrew Vela). Conversions: Sam Harold (4). Match Officials: Jamal Thompson (Auckland), Sam Perkins (Auckland), Berni Carter (Auckland).(Auckland). |
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| Thursday 6 th October 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The pathway for young Victorians to reach the pinnacle of rugby league has received another huge boost with the inclusion of the first Victorian Junior Player in the Australian Under 18s Schoolboys Rugby League team. Richie Kennar was yesterday called into the Australian team for the 2nd test against the Kiwis to be played this Saturday in Auckland. Richie had been named as a shadow player for the team after some outstanding performances for the Combined Affiliated States (CAS) team in the National Championships in July. However, an injury to one of the outside backs in the first Test has resulted in Richie’s call up and a quick flight over to New Zealand yesterday to join the squad. Richie becomes the first Victorian player to be chosen in the Australian Schoolboys side. Richie’s pathway began with his local club - the Northern Thunder, and his school – Craigieburn Secondary College, and has seen him represent Victoria at the ASSRL Championships at both Under 15’s and Under 18’s levels. He has also represented the Combined Affiliated States (CAS) at Under 18s level as well as play for the Melbourne Storm’s SG Ball team. Richie has also gained valuable experience from being a scholarship holder of the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) rugby league program and traveled with the AIS squad and played tests against France and the Uk His achievement should be an inspiration to all local Victorians who aspire to play at the highest levels, proving that there is a clear and defined pathway through the Victorian Rugby League, School Sport Victoria and the Melbourne Storm to the top of the rugby league tree. Congratulations Richie and good luck in your first Test match this Saturday! |
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 MACKAY State High School has returned after a successful rugby league tour of the UK. The school's England tour matches culminated with two good victories, which were a justified reward for their efforts. Their final game was an excellent hit-out against Kelvin Hall School in Hull, who provided stiff opposition but encountered a match-hardened team that had started playing with an understanding of local conditions and refereeing interpretations. That victory gave Mackay State High School two wins in succession after another hard fought success earlier in the week against Archbishop Sentamu Academy. There were no "easy" games on tour for the Mackay team, with each contest proving challenging for the playing group. The school's playing record included two losses, a draw and two wins. The narrow losses came in the games against Outwood Grange Academy and Hopwood Hall College and the draw came against arch rivals Castleford Academy in the form of a pulsating 22-all result. "This was the first time we have not been beaten by this school in a tour match and represents an exceptional result for the squad," team spokesman Bill Esau said. "As the team progressed through the games on this tour the most pleasing aspects of their performance for the coaching staff was seeing the players develop the mental toughness and technique variations, particularly among the young team members, to deal with older and stronger opposition. "We would like to thank all the teams we played for giving us the opportunity to test our skills in a foreign environment. "In particular, the organising and presiding officials who made each game possible," Esau said.LEARN MORE ABOUT MACKAY SHS RUGBY LEAGUE ACADEMY |
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| SELECTORS NAME MURRI U16 SQUAD Story & Photo By : QRL Murri carnival Action from the 2011 Murri carnival on the Gold Coast. Photo: Scottshotz THE Queensland Rugby League has today announced its Murri Under 16 squad. The 26-member squad will be reduced to 17 for the clash against the Koori Under 16s in February next year. The match will be played before the annual NRL All Stars clash. The talented squad was selected following the recent Murri carnival on the Gold Coast. 2012 MURRI U16 SQUAD Tristian Nellman-Adams - Townsville Dist. WalkaboutsAdrian Aidan - Brisbane Stingers Daman Anderson - Toowoomba Warriors Devon Chinfat - Townsville District Walkabouts Ralph Daniel - Townsville District Walkabouts Jesse Domic - Bundaberg Boomerangs Levi Douglas - Bundaberg Boomerangs Bradley Wilson Doyle - Ipswich Diggers Linton Enoch - FNQ Dodgers Simone Fatafehi - FOGS Gideon Gela - FNQ Dodgers Joel Hagan - SW United Wedgetails Tyrone Hussey - Townsville District Walkabouts Julyless Jarvis - Toowoomba Warriors Theddeaus Johnson - Dirringhi Joshua Kerr - Toowoomba Warriors Ritchie Lowe - Ipswich Diggers Kelvin Lui - Townsville District Walkabouts David Nogar - Townsville District Walkabouts Zengary Nona - Townsville District Walkabouts Jordon Remfrey - Townsville District Walkabouts Noah Saumalu - Gladstone United Brodie Sharman - Toowoomba Warriors Lenord Snowball - FNQ Dodgers Sebastain Stiegler - Gladstone United Hakeem Sullivan - Gladstone United |
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| Wednesday 5 th October 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 “OLD BOY DONE GOOD” Keebra Park would like to congratulate ex- student Rangi Chase on both his selection as the Super league “Man of Steel” and also his selection in the English Four Nations Squad for 2011. Rangi was paired in the halves with Benji Marshall in his initial year at Keebra and as you can imagine they formed a formidable partnership. The school has always kept a keen eye on Rangi who has carved a very successful career in the English Super League at Castleford and wish him every success in the future. With the selections of Chris Heighinton and Jack Reed, Rangi is sure to strengthen what is already becoming a very competitive English team and has signalled what could be a very interesting time for Southern hemisphere selectors keen to hold on to home grown talent.LEARN MORE ABOUT KEEBRA PARKS RUGBY LEAGUE |
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JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVE 2012 OPEN TRIALS HAROLD MATTHEWS: S.G. Ball 8:30 AM Registration |
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| Tuesday 4 th October 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
An early try to Australian Pat Mata'utia in the opening minutes of the game, followed in quick succession by team mate Nene McDonald certainly did not dispel the NZ Resident 18s hunger for a win. The youngsters, who only joined each other in camp for the very first time this week, fought hard in wet and windy conditions at Bruce Pulman Park in Papakura, with a come-back try by David Fusitu'a (Auckland Pride), which was successfully converted by Honeti Tuha (Counties Manukau). An injury to star player Viliami Lolohea early in the 2nd half only pushed his team mates to play harder with Esera Esera (Auckland Pride), Trent Bishop and Kurt Robinson (Wellington Orcas) all crossing to score only moments apart. Even with a last minute try to Australian Jake Trbojevic, when the final whistle blew, the NZ Resident side had proven to strong for the Australian Secondary Schoolboys, nudging them out of a win with a final score of 28 - 26. Tony Kemp, NZRL Football Manager said, "it was one of the hardest, heart stopping matches I've watched in a very long time. Both teams played to win and the passion displayed out there was second to none." "If today is anything to go by, next week's clash is going to be a show stopper for sure and given this is the first time the two teams have gone head to head, this cements our belief that our talent pool of young up and coming players in NZ is growing." Both teams meet again, at Bruce Pulman Park, Papakura on Saturday, 8 October at 3.15pm NZ Residents 18s: 28 (Esera Esera, David Fusitua, Trent Bishop (2), Kurt Robinson. Conversions Honeti Tuha (4). Australian Secondary Schoolboys 26 (Pat Mata'utia, Nene McDonald (2), Luke Vescio, Jake Trbojevic. Conversions: Sam Harold (3). Match Officials: Sam Perkins (Auckland), Jamal Thompson (Auckland) and Berni Carter (Auckland).
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Huddersfield Giants Academy 34-42 New South Wales Group Six SCORERS : GROUP 6 TRIES : Jye Douglas, 4, Dean Britt, Jayden Valenzisi, GOALS : Mitchell Brassington 7 The Giants Academy fell short against a New South Wales touring side, losing 34-42 at the Galpharm. But the teenage team can take heart from a decent performance – with prop Daniel Keane and back-rower Joel Farrell both playing out of their skin in claret and gold versus a very talented group of possible future NRL household names. The game will have also provided great experience, which will stand the future Huddersfield stars in good stead. Outstanding Aussie scrum-half Jye Douglas, managed to bag himself four tries as well as making himself a threat in all areas throughout the game. The Giants nearly went behind early on as Douglas grubbered through to Mitchell Brassington - only for the touch-down to be disallowed for offside. From the resulting penalty, the Giants broke downfield and Kyle Mayall managed to get over. Freddy Walker kicked the conversion. Though the tourists looked like a well-oiled Aussie machine - in comparison to the Giants more off the cuff style of play. Douglas got his first as he dummied and stepped inside two defenders to cross from close range. Brassington added the first of his seven goals. His second was a carbon copy of his first just five minutes later, with Brassington again adding the extras. Huddersfield then hit back when after a relieving penalty, Sam Rochford played it down the left to Elliot Gorman, who dived over. The Giants were starting to get on top with some powerful defence and potent attacking plays - the left side in particular was an area they had success. But that momentum stopped when Douglas completed his hat trick against the run of play. The skilful scrum-half then turned provider as Jake Tonitto crashed over as he grabbed onto his team mate’s strong ball out of dummy-half. The home side then came out firing at the start of the second half as they scored two tries in the first ten minutes. The first came as the impressive Joel Farrell broke through and then stepped in and out of two defenders to get the try between the posts. The second came after the Giants’ best performer Daniel Keane put a massive shot in defence which caused a knock on close to the line. Liam Coe must have been taking note of Douglas’s exploits as he dummied in similar fashion and then put Aaron Briggs in. Just as Huddersfield closed in though, the boys from down under broke clear again. Firstly, Brassington played full-back Jayden Valenzisi in. A soccer style one-two kicked from Douglas to Dean Britt and back again saw Douglas get his fourth. George King got the Claret and Golds back within ten as he powered over three defenders. But luck just wasn’t with them as Brassington’s kick looked to be going into touch but for a wicked bounce which saw the ball find the hands of Matthew Harris who gratefully touched down.The home side did manage to have the last word though as Ben Whitehead broke from a scrum to go over the line from 30 yards out. He then converted to end the scoring in a game which will have helped the Giants academy players gain vital experience in their careers. |
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| Saturday 1st October 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UP to 50 talented young rugby league players in the Far West region will get access to professional coaching and development support, thanks to the Far West Academy of Sport (FWAS). The FWAS is calling for local league players to try out for a spot in the 2011-12 Country Rugby League (CRL) Far West Academy program. The CRL Far West Academy trials will be held on October 16 in Warren starting at 9.30am. The trials are open to players in the Far West region turning 14-18 years in 2012. From the trials, an Academy Squad (17-18 years) and a Development Squad (14-16 years) will be chosen with about 50 players offered a position. Those players offered a position in the program will receive some of the most modern and professional coaching programs available. The program will include regular training over the off-season and opportunities to play against NRL junior development sides. “Rugby league is one of the most popular sports in the region and there are plenty of talented players out there and we hope they all come and try out in October,” said FWAS development officer, Matthew Thompson. “The program is part of Country Rugby League’s development pathway and is a great opportunity for those players looking to improve their abilities and get noticed by NRL clubs. “Athletes in our program have had considerable success, with members being picked in the Australian Institute of Sport program and signed up by NRL clubs. “The opportunities are there for those players willing to take up the challenge and be a part of the Academy.” For more information regarding the rugby league trials please contact the FWAS on 6847 3638 or the CRL on 6885 0265. |
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| BOOMERANG U17S BOW OUT IN SEMI-FINAL THERE were mixed fortunes for local sides on day one of the 41st NSW Aboriginal Knockout yesterday, with Tingha’s women up and the Moree Boomerangs under 17s down. The Boomies won through to the semi-finals of the 17s competition at Bathurst’s Carrington Park but bowed out to North Coast side Paul Davis Memorial. They had won their local derby with the Inverell Roosters to start the day well. That finished 26-10 in favour of the Rangs. They then took on Walgett BAC in the quarter-finals and dominated most of that match to win 34-6. The semi also started well, with the Boomies getting first crack at the Paul Davis line, but they came up short and it was the side from the coast which scored first. That is always crucial in knockout games. “Playing two games back to back doesn’t help,” Boomies coach Dave Green said. “And that first try always counts.” From there, Paul Davis had a glut of possession and the points followed. It was 18-nil at halftime and 19-nil when they slotted over a sneaky field goal. The Rangs hit back with a try but ended up losing 25-4. The boys were disappointed not to make Monday’s final but they did well to make the semis after a difficult preparation. “We only just got the side together,” Green said. “We had five or six pull out but we managed to pick up a few on the day. “A lot of them are only 16 too so they have another year.” Paul Davis will play Gungarral Warriors in the final on Monday. Tingha had more luck in the women’s competition. It will play for the knockout title on Monday after winning through the preliminary stages yesterday. Its opponents will be the Redfern All Blacks after they also progressed. The under 15s decider will feature the Nulla Dolphins and the Western Sydney Academy. The main draw takes centre stage this morning. Narwan has two sides involved, while the Boomerangs, Inverell and Toomelah are also in the mix. |
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Leeds Rhinos Head of Youth Development Barrie McDermott praised the club's Under 18 side after they finished their season with a 58-22 win at Headingley Carnegie over the touring Australian side NSW Group 6 U18s. The Australians were coached by former Leeds prop Harvey Howard but they were no match for a well drilled Leeds outfit. Speaking after the game McDermott said, "I'm pleased that we managed to finish the year with a good performance and win. The Country Juniors posed a serious threat throughout the game and the 22 points we conceded gives us something to focus on and improve in the off season. "We've been preparing for a couple of weeks for this game including our last session on the stadium pitch itself. Very rarely do the U18s get chance to train and play on the Headingley Carnegie pitch, so our thanks must go to Jason Booth and his ground staff for allowing this to be a game our boys will remember. "Stevie Ward was awarded the man of the match in his first game back after a lengthy injury layoff. He showed some classy touches with the ball and worked tirelessly in defence. "Other top performances were full back Josh Sunley, prop Matty Blake, loose forward Liam Suttcliffe, scrum half Ollie Olds and Centre Jordan Harper. "The players now face what will be the hardest and longest pre-season they have experienced in preparation for next year. "A big Thank you must go to Harvey Howard and the group 6 team for a very special experience for our younger players who I thought were outstanding. The game was played in the right spirit and our guest were very impressed with Headingley Carnegie stadium and its rich history. Well done to Chris Plume, his staff the U18's players on a very good season and it's always nice to beat the Aussies....!" |
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| OXLEY HIGH UP TO THE CHALLENGE OXLEY High School won the Wests Challenge at Scully Park on Wednesday night but had to overcome a tough McCarthy Catholic College side in the final. When the sides met in the preliminary rounds, Oxley had to come from behind to win but this time they led from the front. “Last time we played them they led us 18-nil at halftime,” Oxley captain Ben Jarvis said. “This time we were a bit more on our game. “We were a lot better than last week.” There was little between the sides early but Oxley scored first through Nathan Curry. He is one of the players who doesn’t normally play league. “There’s a few who haven’t played much footy before, especially league, myself included,” Curry said. “There’s a few union boys who stepped up.” Luke Byrnes scored the second try from dummy half and Jarvis converted to give Oxley a 10-nil halftime lead. After the break, McCarthy hit back through Ryan Prentice to make it 10-4 but Byrnes busted the line and ran 50m to score his second and seal a 16-4 win. Byrnes was man of the match while Peter McGuirk was judged McCarthy’s best. The competition has been running for a few years and gives Tamworth schoolboys in Years 10 and 11 a chance to play for their school and, in some cases, try rugby league for the first time. Tamworth High and Peel High were also involved in the competition that ran during term three. Jarvis said at Oxley it was an opportunity to get to know some fellow students and build what could be the basis for an open schoolboy side to compete in the University Shield and other competitions next year. “It’s a big school,” Jarvis said. “We just went around at lunchtime and found the people we knew could play. “I think it’s one of the best things they’ve done. “It was great. “It gives players who don’t get to play much a go and builds for next year.” Peel beat THS 20-4 in the consolation final while there were also some under 13s and 14s games as curtainraisers. Peel beat THS 16-10 in the 13s and also ran out 30-4 winners over McCarthy in the 14s. |
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| Monday 26 th September 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Story & Photo By : The Townsville Brothers have won back to back Tassell Trophies after defeating the mighty Upper Ross Rams 22 - 10 in Sundays 11th Tassell Trophy grand final. The Brothers were well led by man of the match, hooker Sione Veikuso despite the Rams Player of the Carnival Ben Coccione's best efforts. TEAMS SATURDAY 24/09/11 ROUND SATURDAY 24/09/11 DAY 1 STANDINGS AND POINTS PAST BROTHERS (GLADSTONE) 9.5 BURDEKIN ROOSTERS 0 SUNDAY 25/09/11 ROUND SUNDAY 25/09/11 Cairns Brothers 4 - 22 Tsv Brothers FINAL STANDINGS AND POINTS PAST BROTHERS (GLADSTONE) 15 BURDEKIN ROOSTERS 4 TASSELL TROPHY CHALLENGE CHAMPIONS TASSELL TROPHY CHALLENGE RUNNERS UP TEAM SPIRIT AWARD TEN YEAR PARTICIPATION AWARD PLAYER OF THE FINAL PLAYER OF THE CARNIVAL VOLUNTEER OF THE CARNIVAL 2001 – KANGAROOS (CAIRNS) 2002 – LOGAN BROTHERS (LOGAN CITY) 2003 – SOUTHERN SUBURBS (CAIRNS) 2004 – CENTRALS A.S.A (TOWNSVILLE) 2005 – TOWNSVILLE BROTHERS 2006 – CAIRNS BROTHERS 2007 – KANGAROOS (CAIRNS) 2008 – KANGAROOS (CAIRNS) 2009 – WESTERN LIONS (TOWNSVILLE) 2010 – TOWNSVILLE BROTHERS 2011 – TOWNSVILLE BROTHERS |
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| Sunday 25th September 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 GROUP 10 GET IT ON @ SHARK PARK Group 10 have made the trip to the big smoke bringing four teams to play the Cronulla Sharks Academy at Shark Park for the annual challenge. Group 10 u18 minor Premiers CMYS Orange played the Sharks Academy u17's in what was a good day for footy with no rain, but the highlight of the day was the great big smiles on the faces of the Group 10 u13's as they ran on the famous Shark Park surface - more soon and PLENTY of GREAT ACTION PHOTO'S from ALL 5 GAMES |
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Mackay High’s 2011 England Tour games have finished off with a couple of good victories for the touring team. Our final game was an excellent hit out against Kelvin Hall School in Hull who provided some stiff opposition but encountered a match hardened team that has finally started playing with an understanding of local conditions and refereeing interpretations. That victory gave the team two wins on the trot after another hard fought success against Archbishop Sentamu Academy earlier in the week. There have been no ‘easy’ games on this tour, each contest has proved challenging for the playing group. Our playing record for this tour now includes two losses, a draw and two wins. The narrow loses came in the games against Outwood Grange Academy and Hopwood Hall College and the draw came against our arch rivals Castleford Academy in the form of a pulsating 22 all draw. This is the first time we have not been beaten by this school in a tour match and represents an exceptional result for the squad. As the team progressed through the games on this tour the most pleasing aspects of their performance for the coaching staff was seeing the players develop the mental toughness and technique variations, particularly among the younger team members, to deal with older and stronger oppositions. We would like to thank all the teams we played for giving us the opportunity to test our skills in a foreign environment and in particular the organising and presiding officials who made each game possible. |
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| Saturday 24 th September 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FOR the first time since the 1970s a Central Coast school has taken out the statewide Buckley Shield under-14 junior rugby league competition. After blitzing their way through matches across NSW this year, Brisbane Water Secondary College beat South Grafton 36-12 in last week’s final at Toyota Park in Sydney. The last time a coast school won the competition was in 1975 when Wyong High went all the way. “It’s absolutely a huge achievement for the school,” coach Patrick Crouch said. “The school has done very well at state level this year with the under-15s winning two state titles as well. It’s been a year to remember.” Captain Rhys Kearns scored two tries in the grand final and was man of the match. |
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| Thursday 22 nd September 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Westfields SHS have won the prestigious SHS U15's Chase Stanley Cup at Shark Park on Wednesday closing out a fast finishing Matraville SHS in an excellent game of U15's schoolboys rugby league, Endeavour SHS were to powerful for The Hills SHS in the playoff game for 3rd place In the Grand FInal Westfileds started with all guns balzing with 1st half tries to Jackson Kuli and Mark Griffiths to give his school a 8 - 0 lead going into the break. Matraville came out a renewed side in the second half and with more possession began the task of winding back the Westfields lead with pace around the edges of the pack. Tries to Reimis Smith and Shane Nolan made the scores level at 8 all for most of the 2nd half, then with less than a minute to go in the Chase Stanley Cup Grand Final, Westfields's Mark Griffith ran a good 60 meters to run away with the game for his second grand final try and the match. In the playoff game for 3rd & 4th, local school, Endeavour SHS took on The Hills Sports high Schools and toweled up the Hills boys running in 5 tries to one |
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| Monday 19 th September 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Both sides came out firing, giving nothing away in either attack or defence. Junee put on a great blind-side move, with great short passing to put Trent Field in the clear to run 40 metres, only to be denied a try in the corner. The arm wrestle continued, with Temora having the better field position and receiving a penalty right in front of the post with only two miutes left in the first half and electing to kick for goal. Luckily for Junee, the kick went astray and both teams returned to the field in the second half with scores level at nil-all. Junee started the second half with a great first set, making 60 metres up field and putting a move down the right side to have Connor Macaulay score a brilliant try in the corner. Captain Cam Hands missed the conversion, but Junee were leading four-nil. Minutes later Junee made another raid on Temora’s line, this time Hayden Ashcroft ran 50 metres only to drop the ball over the line, keeping Temora in the game. Mistakes began to creep into Junee’s game with Temora making raid after rain, but Junee’s defence held firm. With eight minutes to go, Junee received a penalty right in front. Hands opted to take the two points, leaving the Diesels in the lead by six points to nil. With less than 10 minutes left in the game, mistakes continued to plague Junee, who gave penalties away to the opposition, but to the team’s credit, their defence held solid. At the final whistle of the entertaining game, Junee had won with six points to Temora’s nil. Junee’s best and man of the match was Connor Macaulay, who was outstanding, followed closely by Hayden Ashcroft. Darcy Lemmich, Matt Logan, Trent Fields, Oli Cowley, Cam Hands and Tom Condon in defence were other players to stand out. Coach Rod Hands said it was the best defensive display he had seen in a junior game of football from both sides. This year’s grand final win marks the team’s fifth appearance and fourth win, with the team adding the under 14s title to their under 10s, 11s and 12s titles. |
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LADS OF YESTERYEAR BECAME MIGHTY MEN ST GEORGE Junior Rugby League Association celebrated its 100th anniversary by inducting 20 St George juniors into its inaugural hall of fame recently. A remarkable 15 of the 20 players played for Australia, including Jason Stevens and Billy Smith, were inducted. Mark and Reg Gasnier (Renown United) and Arncliffe Scots duo Johnny King and Jack Lindwall were inducted too. Although not St George juniors, several other Dragons greats, including Johnny Raper and Graeme Wynn, celebrated the evening. INAUGURAL INDUCTEES AND THEIR JUNIOR CLUB: George Carstairs (Marist Brothers), Arthur Justice (St George junior), Bill Hardman, (Brighton-Le-Sands), Aubrey Kelly (St George junior), Percy Fairall (St George junior), Alby McAndrew (Brighton-Le-Sands), Jack Lindwall (Arncliffe Scots), Doug McRitchie (Brighton-Le-Sands), Jack Holland (St George junior), Billy Wilson (Kogarah Wanderers), Norm Provan (Sutherland Woronora), Bob Bugden (Sutherland Woronora), Reg Gasnier (Renown United), Johnny King (Arncliffe Scots), Billy Smith (Renown United), Steve Edge (St George Rowing Club), Chris Johns (Penshurst RSL), Brad Mackay (Brighton Seagulls), Jason Stevens (Brighton Seagulls) and Mark Gasnier (Renown United). |
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| PLAYERS ENJOY A GRAND END TO SEASON HONOURS were shared as the new-look St George Junior Rugby League Association season wrapped up recently. In the first year of a new combined competition only the Kingsgrove Colts under-15s side won a division one final. Only two other St George teams made division one grand finals in the joint-competition. The combined competition saw St George teams merge with Balmain and South Sydney associations in under-13 and under-14 age groups. Canterbury were added to the mix from under-15. A host of matches were played at Kogarah Jubilee Oval while teams also played at Leichardt Oval, Redfern Oval and Hammondville Oval on Saturday and Sunday. Kingsgrove Colts won four titles while Penshurst RSL were next best with three premiership wins. Arncliffe Scots won two and Hurstville United won a grand final. The A-Grade final was a match between two Canterbury teams with the undefeated Auburn Warriors finishing easy 48-10 winners against St Christopher's. RESULTS Under 9: Penshurst RSL d Renown United white 34-10 A-Grade: Auburn Warriors white d St Christopher's 48-10 |
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SOUTH Dubbo Raiders under-15s took advantage of three crucial turnovers to score tries as they took hold of the Dubbo and District Junior Rugby League premiership. The Raiders won 40-6 against St John’s on Saturday at No.1 Oval with the winning coach, Wayne Sing, urging all clubs who fielded under-15s this season to make sure that their players remained in the game and ensure a 16s competition is played in 2012. Grave concerns were held for the future development of the game after not enough teams were available for an under-16s competition this year. However, if the quality of football is any indication what we saw on Saturday, then the game is in good hands. Unfortunately for St John’s they were up against a very good Raiders side in the grand final. The Saints were in early when Michael Nicholls picked up the scraps in goal after a deft chip that was on the spot. Then at the 21st minute mark the Saints had a great chance to add more points, but Beau Stevenson lost the ball forward over the line. That proved to be a possible 12-point turnaround because soon after the Saints spilled the ball and the Raiders were on the attack and eventually Marshall Sing scored in a handy position for Kaide Rapley to add the extras. Six minutes later it was the same scenario with another Saints handling mistake in their own half, and again the Raiders were on the money when centre Kenny Knight scored. Rapley converted that try and kicked a penalty just before half time to see the Raiders out to 14-6. The Raiders showed they were keen to get on top early in the final 30 minutes and tries to Nick Harvey and Harry Kempston saw the game safely in their keeping at 24-6. The pushed the go button in the final 10 minutes with further tries to Tom Field, Kenny Knight (his second) and after the fulltime siren, to Nick Harvey. In a tough decision for judges, the Dubbo RSL Club man of the match award went to South Dubbo No.10 Craig Field, who with his twin brother Craig came down from Warren each week to play. They are acknowledged as two of the best young forwards for their age in the Dubbo competition. Hewett Haylock, the St John’s No.10 was judged best from his side. While the honors were clearly with the Raiders, the defence from St John’s was really good for the most part. Their commitment on restricting the ball movement of the Field boys was excellent but the team work and backing up from the Raiders proved to be a huge hurdle to have to overcome for the full 60 minutes. Another strong performance came from fullback and goal kicker Kaide Rapley who finished with six goals. Coach Wayne Sing, admitted his boys played some great football at an opportune time. “There are some really good players in the team and they played up to that expectation today,” he said. Sean Barker, the St John’s coach, conceded Souths were the better side all season. “They were a good side and well coached, congratulations to them,” he said. “To my boys, it was a proud moment for them to get to the grand final after we’d lost a lot of games over the past few years. “In the past two age groups they’ve come out and matured and the results have improved. Well done.” SOUTH DUBBO RAIDERS 40 (Ken Knight 2, Nick Harvey 2, Marshall Sing, Harry Kempston, Tom Field tries; Kade Rapley 6 goals) def ST JOHN’S 6 (Michael Nicholls try; Hewitt Haycock goal). |
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 ORANGE CYMS have prevailed in a thrilling Group 10 under 16s grand final at Blayney on Saturday, winning 38-26 after 20 minutes of extra time against St Pat’s. The two teams were locked at 22-all after 60 minutes of regulation time, Pat’s having launched a brilliant comeback to level scores after trailing 18-0 early in the match. The fightback took its toll though and eventually a CYMS side, who looked every bit the winners for most of the match, strung it together when it mattered most and scored three tries in the additional period. It was a shattering way for the Saints to go down, but nonetheless coach Craig Writer was understandably proud of the effort his boys had shown simply to avoid a flogging let alone forcing the match into extra time. “The amount of courage we showed just to get back into the game was amazing,” Writer said. “Even at 18-0 down I didn’t doubt that we could do it because I’ve had these boys since under 10s and one thing I know about them is that they aren’t quitters.They are a pleasure to coach.” To be fair to CYMS, they did look the better side for the majority of the contest but couldn’t quite find a way to seal the deal until after full-time. They scored two tries in the opening 10 minutes through Jamahl Wright and Hayden Gibbs-O’Neill, and after 14 minutes they had added a third as Tom Kirby crossed. A hiding was on the cards at that point, and at one stage CYMS’ confidence was so high that they kicked immediately from a scrum near half-way with the ambition of out-sprinting the Pat’s backs to get to the ball. Adam Miles stemmed the tide for St Pat’s though with a try from dummy-half, and two sets later he did it once more and two Matt Wollmington conversions had the blue and whites back in the contest at 18-12. Momentum was changing and it was CYMS who would have been happier to get to half-time. But even after the break Pat’s kept the ball rolling, Campbell Scott being denied a try for a double-movement, and CYMS were starting to get frustrated. They fought their way back on top with a 40-20 from half Keegan Harding which led to a try to pivot Sam Sweeting. With eight minutes to play that should have been the game but Saints centre Shannon Roeis scored a superb try to bring it back to six points, and with two minutes on the clock he crossed once more, and Woolmington’s sideline conversion tied things up. St Pat’s were on a high at that point having remarkably fought their way back, but Ben Pettit’s try a minute into extra time winded the Saints, and when man of the match Harrison Muller scored soon after the win was effectively sealed. Scott scored a late try for St Pat’s but Muller put Jarrod Robbins over, and the title was won. “CYMS lifted when they had to, they have a lot of flair in their side and to give up 18 points against them, it was just a bit too much in the end,” Writer said. “But I couldn’t be prouder of the fightback and the effort, Adam Miles, Brad Brown, Liam Evans – we had a lot of good players out there today.” ORANGE CYMS 38 (Harrison Muller, Jarrod Robbins, Sam Sweeting, Ben Pettit, Jamahl Wright, Hayden Gibbs-O’Neill, Tom Kirby tries, Keegan Harding 5 goals) defeated ST PAT’S 28 (Shannon Roeis 2, Adam Miles 2, Campbell Scott tries, Matt Woolmington 4 goals) |
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A GREAT kicking and tactical game from five-eighth James Nelson guided St John’s Blue to an excellent 24-6 win over St John’s Gold in the junior league grand final at No.1 Oval on Saturday. Nelson backed up his all-round qualities with two of the four tries and was named man of the match. These two club sides certainly put on a great exhibition of rugby league. They were both obviously well coached and the skills had to be admired. For those spectators who hadn’t seen the under-10s play this season, they would have been impressed. The Blues led 12-0 at half-time after enjoying most of the territory and it was only in the final seconds of the 20 minute half that the Golds looked dangerous but let themselves down with a dropped ball. Fifteen minutes into the game it was James Nelson who put first points on the board with his first try. In the same period the Blues had pressured the Gold line and it seemed only a matter of time before that advantage would turn into points. Two minutes later the Blues were in again, this time it was Toby Adams who scored after the Golds had turned over the ball on their own line. Both try scorers converted their tries and the advantage at this stage was well and truly with the Blues. Three minutes into the second half James Nelson scored again and Ben Cook kicked the goal for 18-0 before the Golds were rewarded with a try of their own. Some strong runs took the ball into the Blues’ 25 before Jordi Madden sighted a gap on the short side and outsmarted the Blues’ defence to dive over from dummy half. St John’s Blues coach Tim Nelson said the boys deserved the win. “They’ve been a great bunch of kids to have all year - on and off the field,” he said. “They’re at that age where they listen to what you tell them and as the coach that’s all that you can ask for. “They have played well all season and we lost one game to Nyngan and had a couple of draws.” Despite being underdogs, St John’s Gold played well against the odds. Their No.6 Jonno Davis had a great game in attack and defence and his No.4 Joel Lalicz was also strong, especially in defence. The Golds were well coached by Greg McIntosh and Shane Madden and they certainly weren’t too far from the money. “We were happy with the way they played but we just couldn’t get down their end to put on any pressure,” McIntosh said. “At St John’s this year we decided to split up our two under-10 sides and they’ve been fairly even all season. When you see the way they’ve played today you can image how good a squad the club would have with just one team.” ST JOHN’S BLUE 24 (James Nelson 2, Harry Lane, Lachlan Hutchison tries; Hutchison, Ben Cook, Nelson, Tyrone Draper goals) def ST JOHN’S GOLD 6 (Jordi Madden try; Madden goal). |
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Darryl Simpson’s try under the posts two minutes from the full-time turned the tide for the South Dubbo Raiders in their 28-24 win over St John’s. Despite the gravity of the situation for the Saints, they showed plenty of courage and didn’t give up. While Simpson’s try gave Souths the advantage there was still time for Saints to pull it off and they gave it their best shot. Left winger Ethan Smith raced down the left sideline and he would most certainly have scored and forced the game into extra time if not for a massive cover tackle from big Raiders centre Travis Giddings-Dennis. Man of the match Simpson, finished with two tries and four goals as Souths made use of a second half wind advantage to come home the strong after the Saints had led 18-10 at half-time. After the South Dubbo Raiders had lost four successive grand finals in under-11s, 12s and 13s, it was left to the Gerry Merritt coached under-14s to change the fortunes of the day. Merritt said the game plan was to hang in there in the first half and work home with the breeze in the final 30 minutes. “We certainly weren’t out of it at half-time even though we were down by eight,” he said. “The wind was going to help us and we wanted to play the game down their end and let them do all the work, and hopefully make some mistakes that we could feed off. “It worked out well for us and we got through, so great work from all the players.” The first half was highlighted by five great tries - three from the Saints and each from their own side of half way. They came from halfback Steve Cole, prop Jake Hall and Cole again but it was Hall’s 60-metre effort that thrilled the crowd. The nephew of former Dubbo Westside and Australian prop Les Davidson, Jake Hall is obviously a player of enormous talent and his development will be watched with interest. Down the other end Souths made their presence felt with a nice show and sprint by Darryl Simpson and another try to Jayden Merritt. Saints’ coach Neil Millgate said his side had enough chances to win. “Unfortunately our best half was in the first 30 minutes. We built up a lead and scored first in the second half to be in front 24-10 but then shut up shop,”he said. “We had chances but didn’t take them. “But this game was more about the quality of the football and I think these two sides provided that.” As one of the Saints people was heard to say: “You’ve got to learn to lose before you win.” SOUTH DUBBO RAIDERS 28 (Darryl Simpson 2, Jayden Merritt 2, Hayden Sambrook tries; Simpson 4 goals) def ST JOHN’S 24 (Steve Cole 2, Jake Hall 2 tries; Jake Scott 4 goals). |
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| Friday 16th September 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SWANFELS footballer Lane Grayson has just arrived in England for a tour with the Mackay Rugby League Academy team. Grayson moved to Mackay at the start of the school year to finish his final two years of secondary school at Mackay State High School and link with the academy. Rugby league, netball and football are part of the Mackay High curriculum. Grayson trains three times a week during school hours and plays two games a week against other academies in North Queensland. On weekends, Grayson plays for the Souths (Mackay) club in the under-16 competition. Souths lost the 2011 U16 preliminary final to Proserpine in golden point extra time. As well as the official training, Grayson swims and goes to the gym for another six training sessions each week, a sign of a dedicated player who wants to make it in the NRL competition. During the three-week tour of England, the team will visit London, Wakefield, Hull, Castleford and Leeds. The academy team will play seven games in England on tour, with Grayson likely to play in the halves as well as hooker. Grayson won an U12 premiership with Collegians, then played two seasons with Wattles before having a break from the sport when he rode steers and bulls. He was second in the junior steer ride at the Warwick Rodeo last year. LEARN MORE ABOUR THE MACKAY TOUR OF THE UK & THE FOOTY PROGRAM HERE |
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 PALM Island rugby league could still make waves on the rugby league stage if more future Obe Geias are given their shot at footy stardom. The island of 300 residents hosted more than 200 school students from the Townsville region yesterday for the Obe Geia Rugby League Challenge and three teams from the island's two schools competed to put their flashy talents on display. In the end it was Heatley State School that finished the one-day competition undefeated, but local players say the future of Palm Island rugby league could reach sensational heights if they're just given an opportunity. Obe Geia himself made it to the ranks of the North Queensland Cowboys under-20s team and before that represented the Australian Schoolboys side, and he's proud to call himself a Palm Islander. But help needs to be sent the Island's way if his type of success is to be repeated anytime soon. "There's a lot of talented young kids over here and they don't play that much footy, most of the time they're sitting around waiting for things like the Gorden Tallis and Paul Bowman competitions to get some games," Geia said. "The more footy they play, the better they'll become, but I think we're moving in the right direction because today's carnival has been awesome." Bindal Sharks flyer Mikhail Sibley knows the depth of playing talent waiting to be tapped on Palm Island, given he's a born and bred local who this year played A grade football in the Townsville and Districts Rugby League competition. The local Palm Island competition certainly offers plenty for spectators, Sibley said, but entertainment will only take the Island's rugby league future so far. "There was talk about trying to get a Palm Island team back into the TDRL, it'd be great if they started that back up again you know," he said. "I was playing in that team at the time and I learned some good skills that I'm now passing on to the young fellas here. "The thing is that our defence is awful, we all know how to attack because it's natural to us but there's more than just attack and attack." Sibley said it's an aspect of the Palm Island style that needs to change given the results that his Bindal Sharks team recorded this year. Close to half of the Sharks' team in 2011 was made up of Palm Island players. The Sharks regularly notched up 20 or more points against heavyweight teams such as Brothers and Burdekin but would always leak more in return, which contributed to their winless season in this year's TDRL competition. "People say they like the way we play our footy, but there's more to it than that," Sibley said. "So it's good to have something like today's carnival giving more of our fellas a go and playing against the Townsville teams." Heatley Primary School won yesterday's carnival with a grand-final victory over the Palm Island black side, and they went through the event undefeated with wins over Magnetic Island Primary, Good Shepherd, Rasmussen Primary and St Joseph's the Strand. |
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| Thursday 15 th September 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Story By : Photo BY : An impressive opening 20 minutes for Dubbo College Senior Campus has handed them the NSW university Shield title over Bathurst High School. The final of the statewide competition was played at Toyota Park in Cronulla and saw Dubbo conquer their western counterparts 38-16. Dubbo coach Craig May was blown away by the boys efforts. Hooker Alex Bonham put in a tremendous effort to record three of Dubbo’s six tries, two in the first 30 minutes. “Our first half effort was extraordinary,” May said. “The completion rates were as high as I have ever seen them. “In the first 20 minutes we really blew them off the park and this set the platform for us.” After just six minutes, Bonham burst through from dummy half to put the first points on the board, combined with a Corey Cox conversion Dubbo were in the lead 6-0. In the 15th minute Bonham notched up a double, crossing again, thanks to a Kieran Cubby break, and then Jack Kavanagh found the line five minutes later. Cox continued to be handy with the boot and Dubbo went into half-time with a 18-nil lead. The second stanza saw Bathurst wanting to lead the charge, with second-rower Riccie Arriola crossing the line which was converted and they were on the board. Three more four pointers followed, one to Dubbo’s Mason Williams, the other to the oppositions Blake Sedger and Doug Hewitt to put their side back in reach. Doubles to Bonham, off a nice kick and chase, and Cubby, with some dazzling steps, saw Dubbo once again increase their lead. There was no turning things around for Bathurst with Dubbo managing to hold them out from their own line for the remainder of the match. In the closing minutes of the match, Charly Runciman, playing in his first game in weeks due to injury, made a charge downfield to put the icing on the cake for the Dubbo boys and see them finish 22 points ahead. Kavanagh was named man of the match for his performance up front, while captain Cubby was selected as the player of the university shield competition. DUBBO COLLEGE 38 (Jack Kavanagh, Charly Runciman, Mason Williams, Kieran Cubby, Alex Bonham 3 tries; Corey Cox 5 conversions) BATHURST HIGH SCHOOL 16 (Riccie Arriola, Doug Hewitt, Blake Sedger tries; Andrew Mendes 2 conversions). |
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Story By : MARK RAYNER Photo BY : A second half comeback wasn’t enough for Bathurst High School as they went down to Dubbo College Senior Campus 38-16 in their University Shield final at Toyota Park yesterday. Bathurst High went into the decider quietly confident of success, but they were caught out by a determined Dubbo side who raced to a 16-0 lead at half-time. The deficit was reduced to just six early in the second half, but despite the momentum swinging in Bathurst’s favour, Dubbo made the most of some fortunate opportunities to blow the gap out again and secure the win. “It was a bit of a bugger but the boys can keep their heads up, it was a good effort,” Bathurst coach Des Crawford said. “Dubbo came out and dominated us in the first half. The boys worked hard to get back into the game, they got back to within a converted try and had all the momentum, but Dubbo had a couple of 50-50 calls go their way and they scored a couple of tries which put us to bed. “The boys were playing well to get back into the game and we thought we were getting the better of them, but it wasn’t to be.” Crawford praised his forwards for working their way back into the game after they were monstered in the first half. “Brodie Cheshire was one of the best today and Jason Roche was strong as well. They really stood up for us,” he said. “We knew that being 16 points down, we had to come out and lift our game or we would get blown away and we did that. “It was on the back of the forwards that we got into the game. After Blake Seager’s try, that was when we lifted our game. We were lifting our game and we were controlling the ball better.” Dubbo had already beaten Bathurst once this year in their Astley Cup clash and Crawford said the University Shield final had a similar sort of feel about it. “It was one of those typical Dubbo High and Bathurst High games. They just got the edge on us,” he said. Bathurst High were at a disadvantage for the match with the majority of their squad also playing for Bathurst Panthers in the Group 10 under 18s grand final on Sunday. They won that match against Orange CYMS 28-12, but then had to back up just 48 hours later for this game. Dubbo play in the Group 11 competition that finished a week earlier. “It was an incredible effort by the boys and they should be very proud of it. To finish second in the state is a great effort. They had to back up after playing the Group 10 grand final, but to their credit the boys all put in,” the coach said. The experience of playing at Toyota Park, the home ground of the Cronulla Sharks, was a good one for Bathurst, according to Crawford. “It was very good. It was still a very large crowd that stuck around to watch us even though ours was the last of five games and it was a very good atmosphere. The boys were able to go over to their families and the school afterwards,” he said. “It is the last game for some of these players and despite losing today, they have had an incredible run. It might be a bit disappointing not to go out with a win, but they have been a credit to the school and we wish those Year 12 boys who are moving on the best of luck for their future.” DUBBO COLLEGE SENIOR CAMPUS 38 defeated BATHURST HIGH SCHOOL 16 (Blake Seager, Riccie Arriola, Doug Hewitt tries; Andrew Mendes 2 goals) |
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| Tuesday 13 th September 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 MACKAY HIGH TOURS UKThe 2011 England tourists are on the plane and are following in the footsteps of our 2007 and 2009 rugby league tours. Traveling together are 21 students, Kyle Krisanski – Kennedy, Blake Atherton (Mirani SHS), Tyler Heading, Ryan Sainsbury, Nathan Benson, Zach Schill, Ben Ivey, Baeden Flynn, Kyle O’Brien, Damon Stokes, Jacob Pinyon, Corey Neilson, Lane Grayson, Cody Simpson (Calen SC), Brad Simpson (Calen CS), Adam Lucas, Andrew Warren, Mark Jorgenson, Jackson McCormack, Cody Cocup, and Damon Mooney. Also traveling with the group were teachers My Billings, Mr Dell, Mr Doyle and Mr Esau, who makes the tour for the third time. Two parents are helping on the trip, Mr Krisanski and Mr Flynn. The team will play games in Wakefield, Castleford, Hull, Rochdale and London. No other school rugby league program in Australia offers a tour of this quality, a once in a lifetime opportunity for any young player to travel and play in the UK. While there we will visit Super league games, museums, theme parks, historic castles, schools and many other tourist attractions like the London Eye and The Tower of London. The 2013 tour will be available to any current Year 8 and 9 students who confirm their intention to continue their rugby league course through their senior years (11 and 12) at our school.LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MACKAY SHS RUGBY LEAGUE ACADEMY |
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| Saturday 10 th September 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The WA Reds will be holding an open trial for our SG Ball under 18’s team for the 2012 season on Saturday the 17th September 2011 from 1pm to 5pm at Curtain Stadium in Bentley. To be eligible to trial you must be born in the years of 1994, 1995 or 1996 and must complete and submit the below application form by 5pm Friday the 9th of September. 2012 will see a greater focus on the recruitment of home grown talent, the team will carry a squad of 40 players with no less than 35 of those players coming from Western Australia. Please return the below form by email, fax or post. CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION FORM |
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Story & Photo By : QRL.com.au Seagulls juniors THE Sugar City grand final day saw the Seagulls come through with three fabulous victories on Sunday at Salter Oval, Bundaberg. The Seagulls defended ruthlessly to deliver three-straight wins in the Under 14s, Under 15s and the Under 16s. Spectators were treated to three thrilling wins and some unforgettable moments for players, club members and families. “The coaches and assistants have done a wonderful job with their junior players this season and the results have been phenomenal,” said Neil Collins, the Seagulls Junior Rugby League President. “Never before has the junior club dominated the Sugar City competition. Our results this season have shown us that our club is definitely on track with our junior development program. “We have so much junior talent here at the club; our future is looking very promising”. Hervey Bay high student Regan Glynn delivered a five star performance in the Under 14s, securing him the man of the match award. Under 14s coach Peter Burns said his team’s defence under pressure was superb, a cornerstone for their victory over Bundaberg Wests. RESULTS... Under 14s: Seagulls 22 def Bundaberg Wests 16. Man of the Match: Regan Glynn Under 15s: Seagulls 28 def Across the Waves 24. Man of the Match: Jon Simms Under 16s: Seagulls 32 def Across the Waves 18. Man of the Match: Nick Collins |
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| 2011 SARL GRAND FINAL DRAW South Australian Rugby League - 2011 Grand final Draw Admission Adults $ 5.00 Children under 16 $1.00 8.30am Under 10’s (2 Fields) F1. South V Tigers F2 Eels V Roosters 9.30am Under 12’s Eels V Rooster 10.30am Under 14’s South’s V Rooster 11.30am Under 16’s Cougars /South’s V Eels/Roosters 12.45pm Ladies Tag South V Roosters 1.45pm Reserve Grade North’s V Roosters 2.55pm Under 8’s Game 1 (15 minutes ) ( South V Eels) 3.15 pm Under 18’s Roosters V Aberfoyle Under 8’s Game 2 (15 minutes) South/Eels V Roosters 4.45 pm First Grade North’s v Tigers 5.25 pm Half time of First grade SARL Mighty Midgets will play |
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| Friday 9 th September 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
After holding off a fast finishing Endeavour Sports in hot conditions at Cabramatta this week, Hunter Sports will now progress into its second straight final against Power House Westfield’s Sports High this Tuesday at Shark Park. After getting out to an early 12-0 lead, the momentum quickly changed with Endeavour scoring the next 3 tries to lead 14-12. Out on their feet it took some individual brilliance from Jayden Wright and Daniel Peck to swing the game back to the boys from the Hunter running out eventual winners 28-18. Hunter will now come up against Westfield’s Sports who had dominating win over Hills Sports in the other semi final. It is going to be a hard task for the boys, who no doubt will do their utmost to bring home the Buckley Shield this year. Good Luck Boys!!! |
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Dubbo College Senior Campus is through to the final of the statewide University Shield rugby league competition against Bathurst High School with a convincing 36-4 victory over Grafton High in Grafton. For the first time the final will see two western region schools battle it out for the prestigious shield after Bathurst High defeated Mullumbimby High 30-20. The final will be played at Toyota Park - home ground for the Cronulla Sharks - on Tuesday. Dubbo started their match against Grafton, on Wednesday, slowly with a number of basic errors creeping into their game and failure to complete sets. However, in this period it was the team’s defence that was a feature with Grafton unable to break the line. Finally after 15 minutes it was prop James McKinnon who broke the deadlock with a barnstorming run from 15m out to cross next to the posts. Corey Cox converted to give Dubbo a 6-0 lead. In the 21st minute EJ Fernando crossed out wide after beating his opposite. In the 26th minute Dubbo five-eighth Kieran Cubby used some nifty footwork to cross under the posts and with a Corey Cox conversion Dubbo had a commanding 16-0 lead at half-time. The second half again started with Grafton having several attacking sets that were again repelled by Dubbo’s defence. Somewhat against the run of play Dubbo hooker Alex Bonham took a timely intercept and raced 90m to score. Cox was wide with the conversion but he was soon back in the action four minutes later with a clean break where he raced 40m to score. Mason Williams converted and with a further converted try to back rower Jarryn Powyer the score was 32-0 after 12 minutes of the second half. Dubbo added further to the score when Jarryd Usher again split the middle of the ruck area and raced 50m to score in the corner despite the best efforts of the Grafton fullback. It was Grafton who finished the scoring when their best Jake Frame crossed out wide for a well-deserved try. Best for Dubbo College were props Jack Kavanagh, James McKinnon, fullback Blaize Fuller and winger Jarryd Usher, while EJ Fernado, Corey Cox and Mason Williams looked dangerous whenever they had the ball in their hands. |
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| Thursday 8 th September 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
English great Garry Schofield was in Newcastle recently to visit his son, Jonathon, who is currently playing for Charlestown Butcher Boys. While here, Garry graciously gave up some valuable time to run his eye over some of the up and coming talent at Newcastle’s Hunter Sports High School. Although Schofield played his football in an era well before their time, Great Britain’s most capped player - 46 tests - gave a remarkable and vivid insight into his playing days, captivating the aspiring youngsters. Importantly for the young players listening, Schofield revealed how his own self belief and dedication underpinned the success he experienced as a player. Schofield, having played with, and against, some of the greatest players of all time including, Wally Lewis, Wayne Pearce and Peter Sterling, stressed the importance of applying yourself at training if you want to achieve your dreams of playing in the NRL. After an open discussion with the players, Schofield took the opportunity to put the players through a skills session. Afterwards, Schofield commented that Rugby League development in Australia was far beyond what is available in England. Part of that successful development pathway is of course Rugby League Programs like Hunter Sports High School, who, in conjunction with the Newcastle Knights, provide young players with the opportunity to work year round with top line Rugby League Coaches. Schofield said “there is no doubt there is a benefits of a Rugby League Program like this you just have to look at the successes Hunter Sports High School has had over the years in producing Australian Schoolboys and NRL players, great concept”. |
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Next Wednesday the St. Marys Leagues will be hosting the NSWCCC Cup grand final at St. Marys Stadium with the Final of the 3 Catholic competitions The big boyz get it on in the NSWCCC CUp and it will featuire two of the most famous and successful schools in rugby league. Patrician Brothers Blacktown take on the mighty St. Gregorys College, both schools have star studded line up and this should prove to be one of the best games of the year The day kicks off at 11:45 with the Primary School, 12:45 is the kick off for the u14's Cochrane Cup and then at 2:00 pm, the NSWCCC CUP kicks off this will be an excellent day of schoolboys rugby league, so get out to St. Marys Stadium next Wednesday to see the future stars of our game NSWCCC CUP GRAND FINAL |
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| BATHURST HIGH QUALIFY FOR STATEWIDE RUGBY LEAGUE GRAND FINAL BATHURST High School have qualified for their first ever grand final appearance in the University Shield after defeating Mullumbimby High School 30-20 in yesterday’s semi-final. The annual University Shield competition has been contested since 1922 by NSW high school teams. Playing in Mullumbimby on the state’s North Coast, the powerful Bathurst side showed why a majority of their players have achieved representative honours in recent seasons in turning a 14-12 half-time deficit into an impressive win. They will now have the opportunity to play the winners of today’s Grafton High versus Dubbo College match in the decider at Toyota Park – home of the Cronulla Sharks – on Tuesday. “The boys are all pretty excited, it will be a pretty good experience for them to play in Cronulla and also for the fact that it will probably be the last game together for a lot of them, certainly as a school side,” Bathurst coach Des Crawford said. “It would be great for them to win and take some good memories from their last match as a team.” Crawford said that his team controlled much of the game, scoring twice in the first half and taking a 12-6 lead before two late tries to Mullumbimby handed them a surprise lead at the break. “It was a bit of an arm-wrestle early on, but we started to get on top and definitely had the upper hand before those couple of tries near the break,” he said. “We came out in the second half and started well again and though it was another arm-wrestle for a little while, we broke away with some quick tries and from there really dominated the ball and the field position. They scored one try just out from full-time, but we deserved the win.” There were some moments of anxiety for Crawford – Western Division forward Blake Seager came off the field early in the match with a back complaint and took no further part while Brady Cheshire and Luke Carpenter also had injury concerns. “Blake coming off was more a precaution than anything else, Luke Carpenter picked up a cork for Panthers on the weekend and came off with a little while to play but he’s fine, and Brady Cheshire got a cut that will require a few stitches,” Crawford said. “Our forwards really stood up today, Brady and Jason Roche were very strong up front, Tom Loader had half a game at fullback and scored a couple of tries and Andrew Mendes at five-eighth controlled the game very well. “We aren’t worried if we play Grafton or Dubbo but obviously we know a bit more about the Dubbo side if we do happen to come up against them.” BATHURST HIGH SCHOOL 30 defeated MULLUMBIMBY 20 |
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FARRER’S Under 14s have dished out some heartbreak in this year’s Buckley Shield but had to suffer some of their own yesterday. They fell a game short of the state final after Central Coast side Brisbane Waters snatched a last-minute 26-24 semi final win at Farrer’s Simpson Oval. The green and golds had scored what they thought was the match-winner just one minute earlier. Brisbane Waters crossed first but Farrer hit back through James Hawkins and then went 8-4 up when Mitch Parker ran a good line after an earlier break by his second row partner Jesse Glass. But Hawkins suffered an injury that ended his game and that was a blow to Farrer’s chances. Even so, the home side went to the break as 14-4 leaders after a brilliant try by winger Michael Carter. Five-eighth Corey Manicaros sent a high cross-field kick and Carter plucked it out of the air from above his head like an NRL first grader to score. But the opening stages of the second half undid a lot of the good work done before the break as Brisbane Waters scored the next three tries, including two in as many minutes, to jump to a 22-14 lead. “When they score two tries in two sets it’s going to get some momentum behind them,” Farrer coach Josh Steel said. “We said that whoever completed the best will win the game. “In the first half we didn’t have one incomplete set. “When we had a 10-point lead we were pretty confident.” Farrer was chasing again but earned a chance when fullback John Seabrook broke away after a scrum-base shift and ran 80m to score. The green and golds needed just one more and it came off the boot of Manicaros again. This time another left to right kick found James Fisk in the clear and he made no mistake with the catch and put-down to put Farrer up 24-22 with two minutes to play. But an error in the next set gave Brisbane Waters one last chance and it took it with a sneaky try from dummy half enough to send it through to the final. Glass and Parker were good in the second row but Glass also spent a short time on the bench after a knock and with Hawkins already out of action it made Farrer’s job more difficult. “One of our props on the bench rolled an ankle at training so we were weakened on the bench to start with,” Steel said. “And then to have two of our best defenders off at the same time made it hard.” The halves were also impressive. Tom Say created a lot of chances at halfback with his ability to confuse the defence with ball in hand and he also had to do a lot of defence, while Manicaros’s kicking showed improvement. “Corey has really worked on his kicking,” Steel said. “In the last game there were a couple of tries scored off his kicks but it was Callaghan scoring them. “So he has worked hard. And Tom Say was in there tackling their prop.” He also said centre Jed Smith and prop Brad Johnston were strong. NRL referee Gavin Morris was also a surprise guest at the game. |
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| Wednesday 7 th September 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FREE ENTRY FOR JUNIOR PASS HOLDERS AT SFS AND ANZ  Junior pass holders will receive free entry into Sydney’s Week One Telstra Premiership Finals at ANZ Stadium and the Sydney Football Stadium. At ANZ Stadium, junior pass holders are to report to any venue box office where they will be presented with a match entry ticket for the Wests Tigers versus Dragons clash. At the Sydney Football Stadium, supporters presenting either an NRL Junior Pass or a Manly Next Generation membership card will be granted access via Gate i and seating in Bays 1-6 for Manly versus Cowboys. "This is a reward for kids who have played the game throughout the year to come along and see two enthralling finals contests featuring stars like Benji Marshall, Jamie Soward, Johnathan Thurston and Jamie Lyon," NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, said. "Already we have had a record Members pre-sale for the Wests Tigers-Dragons match and tickets for all four finals matches are selling well. "It’s going to be an enthralling first week and with so much at stake for all teams I would encourage everyone to come along and enjoy the action." The NRL Junior Passes program has been operating for more than 20 years and provides free entry for registered children and officials to Telstra Premiership regular season matches. The $28 million program is the only one in Australian professional sport to give future stars free access to its matches. More than 180,000 Junior Passes have been distributed to children and designated club officials in registered Rugby League competitions this year - 5,000 passes more than last year. |
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| Monday 5 th September 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Penrith bound Toby Evans bid farewell to Group 11 football in the best way by kicking his Spacemen to a 26-24 victory over Macquarie Raiders in sensational circumstances at Pioneer Oval in front of his home crowd yesterday. The Raiders were denied the Dubbo RSL Club premiership in the worst possible way. They led 24-20 with three minutes remaining, but Parkes scored in the corner and Evans converted with a kick into the wind from the sideline for the clincher. What a season the Forbes Redbend College halfback has had. He and Parkes teammate Sam Coster were members of the New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges team at the Australian Schools championships and both helped steer Western Rams to victory in the Country Under-18 titles. Yesterday he saved his best for last and what a classic performance it was. As you would expect he was a bundle of nerves as he lined up the match winner with the siren having already sounded. If he missed it was into extra time. “This is as good as it gets, my best moment in football,” Evans said.“Realising what the conversion would mean, I was really nervous lining it up, but as soon as I struck it I knew it was good. “Obviously I’m looking forward to going to Penrith next year but I don’t think there was a better way to finish here with Parkes and with my mates. It’s been great.” Group 11’s decision to play under-18s as the main game before first grade paid handsome dividends yesterday as the cream of their junior nursery was on the big stage, and no one was disappointed. The lead changed hands several times throughout the 60 minutes and Parkes led 20-14 after tries from Jake Dooley, Andrew Bourke, Chad Porter and Jake O’Brien while Chad Porter booted two goals in windy conditions. But the Raiders didn’t give in at any stage and hit back with tries of their own from Josh Ferguson, Corey Cox and Leroy Toomey, while Cox was successful with one of his kicks. This then set the stage for the second half and as expected it went right down to the wire. Thirteen minutes in second-rower Hayden Chapman scored for the Raiders and with Cox’s successful kick it was back to even stevens at 20-all. Chances came and went for both sides until the creative Cox scored just three minutes from ful-time and it was thought that the game was over for all money, despite Cox missing the conversion from a not too difficult position. At the same time Parkes fullback Jake Dooley was sent to the sinbin for dissent. But the best was still to come. Parkes came up with a short kick off into the wind, regathered and then on the back of successive penalties Evans gave the last pass to Jack Creith who scored in the corner. The home crowd was in raptures and so were the young Spacemen but it needed a successful conversion to get them over the line. Evans decided to take the kick himself instead of Chad Porter and the decision paid off as the ball sailed between the sticks for the two point win. While most of the young Macquarie Raiders were visibly distressed, coach Matt Sutcliffe said it all. “I’m shattered and I really feel for the boys,” he said. “They fought so hard today and all season, but just when we thought we had it in the bag, things turned around in the worst possible way. “I don’t think it was complacency that got to them at the finish (when they hit the front), I think we underestimated the quality of Parkes. They just kept coming at us and they’re a good side as they proved the last two times when we’ve met them in the finals and now they’ve won both times. “Looking back there are some fine young players in our side, most of them will be going up to seniors next year and I’d like to think they will be pushing for first grade.” Both sides yesterday were full of quality players with Evans, and lock Sam Coster - who earlier won the Dubbo RSL Group 11 Under-18 Player of the Year award - two of their best, along with captain and fullback Jake Dooley. In the Raiders’ side Corey Cox, prop James McKinnon and interchange hooker Kane Ralph had big games. |
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| Saturday 3 rd September 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Story & Photo's By : HILLS SHS PRINCES OF THE UNIVERSE The Hills SHS backed up from last year to again win the National ARL Schoolboys Cup at WIN Stadium on Friday afternoon in front of a large crowd with both schools sending busloads of supporters to help all the families and friends cheer their teams on. In what was a sensational game of schoolboys footy, Matto were quick to start scoring when Joe Uhi stormed thru some weak defence to score in the corner, then The Hills started to move the ball with skill and took the lead with 3 first half tries. The Hills held a 16 - 4 half time lead thank to tries to Jordan Horo, skipper, Doony Heather & Keiran Mossto win the Grand Final with too much speed, but it was close 20 - 22 was the final result. |
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| Friday 2 nd September 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Matraville Sports High School's Open Rugby League team have for the 4th time in 5 years reached the Grand Final of the ARL Schoolboy Cup competition. This years Schoolboy Cup Competition was divided into two divisions (non-elite and elite) with over 450 High Schools from around the country competing to be crowned the Top Rugby League School in Australia. Our school along with 15 others from NSW and QLD have been competing in the “elite” rugby league school competition and have progressed to the final by defeating Erindale College 54-6, St Dominique’s College 30 to 18, St Gregory’s College 22 to 6 and Holy Cross College 34 to 18 in our Semi final. We now go on to play The Hills Sports High School in the Final on Friday afternoon (3.15pm) at WIN stadium. To reach the grandfinal of this prestigious competition four times with only 280 student enrolments is a great achievement for the school and I would like to congratulate Scott Murray (PDHPE teacher) for the time and effort he puts into the Rugby League program. |
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| Wednesday 31 st August 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 ARL SCHOOL BOYS CUP NATIONAL GRAND FINAL GOES TO THE GONG Story & Photo's By : Defending ARL Schoolboys Cup Champions The Hills Sports High School get the opportunity at WIN Stadium Friday arvo be the first school to successfully defend their National title since Endeavour SHS won 3 in a row in the early 2000's. The Hills win face an in form and hungry side in Matraville, the 2009 Champions are playing good footy all over the park lately and will be itching to have a crack at The Hills |
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| Saturday 27 th August 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FARRER Memorial Agricultural High School added a new piece of silverware to its bulging cabinet by soundly beating Sydney’s Chifley College in yesterday’s ARL Schoolboys Trophy final at Brookvale Oval. Having claimed the Country Cup to reach the decider, the Farrer boys were emphatic 42-nil winners against last year’s Trophy champions. It’s the first time Farrer has won the trophy. The green and golds tamed a bigger Chifley side with unbreakable defence, making way for plenty of points. “In the first 20 minutes it was the toughest game I’ve seen,” coach Damian Kenniff said. “They were huge and ran very hard but we held them early. “The boys are really happy. “They work really hard and they deserve to get something for it.” Backrower Jack Pawsey was named player of the final but it was the fitness and execution of a smart game plan by the whole squad that proved too good for the Sydney champions. “Jack Pawsey was man of the match and Logan Harris was outstanding,” Kenniff said. “Matt Brady kicked well. “He got seven and Will Gooch scored a good try but they shared it around a bit. “Jack Broughton and all the forward pack played well and held them in that first 20.” It was a great way to finish for a handful of soon-to-be Farrer graduates, like Pawsey and skipper Jack Broughton. He and six others were part of last year’s Uni Shield success as well. The ARL Schoolboys Trophy is the tier two competition for schools who don’t play in the tier one ARL Schoolboys Cup. The final was played as a curtain-raiser to last night’s Manly/Melbourne NRL top of the table game and also a Toyota Cup match between the same clubs. It was a good night for Farrer, with last year’s Uni Shield co-captain Ryan Pooley scoring the first try for Melbourne in the under 20s clash after he had presented the Farrer boys with their jumpers earlier in the day. He added another soon after and the Storm almost matched Farrer’s result with a 40-nil win over the Sea Eagles. |
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| Friday 26 th August 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UNDER 18's RAM IT HOME Muswellbrook’s under-18 rugby league side has claimed its first premiership in 13 years. The young Rams claimed the grand final by two points on Sunday at Scone Park, proving too strong for the home side, the Thoroughbreds. Hayden Cunneen made his mark early when he fielded the ball on his own 30-metre line and started an amazing run down the field. He raced 65 metres to score wide of the posts for the first points after three minutes’ play. The conversion was successful and the Rams were up 6-0. Play went from one end to the other as both teams struggled for dominance. Scone seemed to gain the advantage with what seemed to be a glut of possession as they set up camp in the Rams’ territory. With Scone attacking from 30 metres out, a missed tackle on the 20-metre line allowed Jack Dawson to break through and score wide of the posts for Scone’s first points after 10 minutes. The conversion was unsuccessful and the Rams held a slender lead, 6-4. The rest of the half remained scoreless as the Rams’ defence held strong against Scone’s attack of raid after raid. Both teams recovered well from the break. Play went from one end to the other as both sides launched strong attacks. The Rams gained ball possession, which allowed them to move into a strong and dominant area in Scone quarters. With great vision, Daley Boney sent a long, spiralling pass out to winger Clayton Ellis to run 10 metres and dive over in the corner for the Rams to increase the lead after 21 minutes. The conversion from Luke Cameron sailed wide and the Rams were up 10-4 with nine minutes left. As the clock began to wind down and the defence of both sides tired, Scone launched one last attacking raid out wide and were rewarded with a try to winger Steven Carter. With immense pressure on the shoulders of Seth Morgan to tie the game up and send it into extra time, the kick sailed wide and the Rams’ lead had been cut to two points with two minutes remaining. Time ran out for Scone and the Rams claimed the title, 10 - 8. |
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NSW CHS GRAND FINALS 
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| NEW RUGBY LEAGUE BOOK A DECISON NOT REGRETTED.  THE EARLY YEARS FO RUGBY LEAGUE IN SYDNEY SCHOOLS A MUST FOR ALL THOSE INTERESTED IN RUGBY LEAGUE Life in the city of Sydney from the 1880s to the 1930sThe beginning of Rugby Union, Australian Rules, Soccer and Rugby League in Sydney The problems faced by schools wishing to play Rugby League The first school to play Rugby League The first schoolboys Rugby League competition in Sydney and Australia Profiles of the pioneer schools The development of Rugby League in Catholic schools during World War One, the 1920s and the 1930s The beginning of Rugby League in Country NSW and Brisbane schools A great story on an area of Rugby League history about which little was previously known DOWNLOAD ORDER FORM |
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 2009 AIS TOUR |
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 DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL NSWCCC CUP MANUAL |
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2010 NSWRL JANUARY PLAYERS CAMP |
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| NSWRL SG BALL CUP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NSWRL HAROLD MATTHEW'S CUP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CYRIL CONNER CUP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MEL MENINGA CUP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 30 YEARS of NSW CCC SCHOOLBOYS RUGBY LEAGUE BOOK LAUNCH The NSW CCC have launched a brand new book. 30 years of NSW CCC Rugby League. Its a fantastic book filled with great stories & photos of the history of the NSW CCC rugby league system. This book is available for sale at the bargain price of only $20.00, if you would like a copy, contact us and we can point you in the right direction. | LeaRN MoRe | ORDER NOW |
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 2010 STRUDDY'S CHALLENGE DRAW & TEAM LISTS |
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WANT TO GET OURFOOTY NEWS Well then JOIN HERE |
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| NATIONAL SCOREBOARD | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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NSW SCOREBOARD |
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 CHEERLEADER of the WEEK |
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Matraville 
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ENDEAVOUR 
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2011 ASSRL TOUR 
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2009 
| NATIONAL SCOREBOARD |
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