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| Tuesday 30 th December 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
JHARAL Yow Yeh's pop has given him just one bit of advice: "Don't be angry because your uncle was as rough as nuts and it ruined him." The young Broncos winger, who will make his NRL debut this year, is the silver lining to a tragic rugby league tale. His uncle Kevin Yow Yeh could have been one of the best. Just ask Immortal Arthur Beetson. But nine years after making his debut for the Tigers and helping them to the 1966 grand final, Yow Yeh became a statistic. A death in custody. "I know the story," Jharal said. "It is very sad. But I just have to carve out my own career." Jharal, 19, blasted on to the scene this year in the Toyota Cup (under-20s) with the Broncos, scoring 26 tries and earning selection in the under-20 team of the year. The 187cm winger last week beat Beijing Olympic silver medallist Sally McLellan and six Broncos teammates over 40m. "I have to make the most of my talent," he said. "They say my uncle was good when he was in Sydney but it all went wrong." They said it was a heart attack that killed Yow Yeh. At just 34, he died in Mackay jail on June 27, 1975, clutching his chest. But family and friends say his body was returned black and blue. All bruises and broken bones. An inquest was launched into Yow Yeh's death in 1987 as part of a Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody. But listed in black ink next to his name is: "Outside time restriction for terms of reference." "He was as fit as a fiddle," former teammate Beetson recalls. "How someone that fit dies of a heart attack at 34 I will never know." In fact Yoh Yeh, the Aborigine of South Sea Island descent who set the NSWRL alight for two short years, was very fit. So fit, the police at Gladstone had to call upon the services of a marathon runner. "He used to play a little game every Saturday night with the coppers," Beetson said. "He'd drink god knows how many schooners in the pub then park himself at the police station. "He would stand there, shoeless, abusing them. And then he would run. He was one of the quickest blokes I have ever seen. He could have footed it with Ken Irvine over 40m. Maybe even beaten him. And the cops found that out the hard way. They ended up recruiting a marathon runner from Sydney because they couldn't get anywhere near old Kev." Yow Yeh's tale began full of hope but ended in tragedy. He was a star from day one. An aggressive centre who could run like the wind. Yow Yeh could have been anything, according to Beetson. They were both spotted playing for Redcliffe and bought by the Tigers as a package for the 1966 season. The transfer fee of £1500 paid for the club house at Redcliffe which still stands today. But after just two stunning years in Sydney Yow Yeh returned home. He was dead seven years later. "It was his anger that got him in the end," Beetson said. "He just couldn't cop the racism. I have always said he was just born 200 years too late. "He wasn't just chocolate. He was as black as the night. He had all the features of an Aboriginal islander and unfortunately he had this huge temper which could explode." His nephew Jharal knows most of the stories. Like his uncle, Jharal can run. But unlike the former Tiger, who Beetson reckons could have been a middleweight boxing champion, Jharal doesn't have the aggression. "I didn't know much about him except that he was a very good footy player," Jharal said. "Very quick and very rough. Yeah I have heard he was real rough. They say he was very good in Sydney but I don't know what went wrong. I haven't really heard much about that." While Kevin was dropped into the big smoke and forced to fend for himself, Jharal has an extensive support network to ensure history isn't repeated. "I have a lot of help from my family and also the Broncos," Jharal said. "Kevin probably didn't have that. I can't even start to understand what he went through. It would have been hard back then." Beetson agrees. "I guess I had a different attitude but it was tough," Beetson said. "Racism was rife and there weren't any player welfare programs." Jharal is determined to keep the Yoh Yeh name alive - for the right reasons, this time. |
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| Monday 29 th December 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 LUKE LOOKS FORWARD TO BRIGHT NRL FUTURE [ Luke Tuimavave is ready to make his mark on the NRL. Picture/Chris Rudsdale ] Young Whangarei rugby league player Luke Tuimavave could become known as "Lucky Luke" after a dream season that has drawn interest from two Sydney NRL clubs. He represented Northland with distinction at the under-15 national tournament in July and was chosen in the tournament squad as well as the best forward of the tournament. The 15-year-old prop's performance there wasn't missed by NRL scouts and he was offered a three-year contract with the Canterbury Bulldogs. "Everything that's happened this year has been all I've ever really wanted, so at the moment I couldn't ask for more," he said. Tuimavave and his parents hired Australian player-manager Steve Martin to conduct the negotiations on his behalf and the family hopes a Bulldogs deal will be signed early in the New Year. "It's pretty much been the Bulldogs all the way for me but everyone thought going to the Roosters camp was a good idea too," he said. A call from the Sydney Roosters player recruitment manager at the beginning of December invited Luke to attend the club's annual academy training camp in Australia. The chance to train with rugby league greats like Brad Fittler and Matthew Johns was an experience Tuimavave will never forget. The highlights of the trip for Luke was sitting next to Willie Mason at a dinner function and then running through the tunnel on to the playing ground at the Sydney Football Stadium for a training session with head coach Fittler. It is something the young Hikurangi Stags player could get used to and he will hear in the next few weeks if the Roosters will also offer him a contract. Meanwhile, he is poised to sign with the Bulldogs, and will attend another training camp in Sydney in January with the Canterbury club. Next year looms as a big one for the young prop but whether he plays for the Bulldogs or another club doesn't really bother him - as long as he's playing. "I'm keeping my options open. It's all new to me so I'm just enjoying having a tutu [nosy] around at the moment and hopefully we'll find out what's good and what's not," he said. "I wouldn't mind playing for the Warriors but that's in the future ... right now I'm focusing on trying to crack in the Toyota Cup competition," he said. |
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| JACKSONVILLE JAGUAR COACH PARTNERS WILL JANUARY 17 RUGBY LEAGUE EVENT The Jack Del Rio Foundation will host a Football vs. Rugby Challenge as part of the pre-game entertainment at the January 17 International to be played between the Leeds Rhinos and the Salford Reds to raise money for 3 local Jacksonville Charities. The Coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars (Jack Del Rio) set up the Jack Del Rio Foundation in June of 2008 to help meet the needs of the underserved youth in the region. The Jaguars coach has set his sights on being directly involved in the foundation and establishing deep roots in the Jacksonville Area. (www.jackdelriofoundation.com) Event organizer Spinner Howland approached the Foundation with the idea of creating a fund raising event that centers around some skills challenges which would put some of the Jacksonville Jaguars Players up against some of the Pro Rugby players. "To be honest I have always wondered how the Rugby League players would fare if put up against the American Football guys. There has always been plenty of talk about the two sports and which athletes are faster, stronger, etc. This challenge will help answer some of those questions and raise money for local charities at the same time", Howland said. The Challenge will see a set of skills that are common in both sports designed to test players from all three teams. There will be some kicking test that will not only determine punting distance but also accuracy with some field goals having to be kicked from the sidelines like they do in Rugby. Players will also have to kick both types of balls. There will also be some sprint tests and an agility test to see which players prove more allusive on their feet at speed. Players from each team will compete for their selected charity in each event and the prize money allocated will be donated based on where their player finishes in each event. The Jaguar players will obviously compete for the Jack Del Rio Foundation and the players from Leeds and Salford will be paired with the Jacksonville USO and Dreams Come True. Both the visiting teams are excited about an opportunity to not only test themselves against some NFL Players but more importantly leave a positive impression in Jacksonville by helping raise the profile of the charities involved and some money at the same time. After the way the city of Jacksonville embraced both teams that competed in the Australia Day Challenge last January everyone involved with this new event is eager to show their gratitude by being able to assist the local organizations, especially in this current economic market. The Leeds Rhinos and the Salford Reds will be hosted to an afternoon at the Jaguar facility just as the visiting team where last year. These tours are one of the highlights for the players from the Rugby teams and both clubs are excited that the partnership with the Jacksonville Jaguars has now spawned an new association with the teams head coach. The acceptance of the idea from the Jack Del Rio Foundation speaks volumes at the sincerity of the Del Rio family to truly become a Jacksonville Charity that goes well beyond the game of football and reaches into the grass roots of the local community. The pre-game challenge will start on the field at 2pm and the charity raffle that will also raise funds for all three charities will be drawn at halftime along with check presentation to each organization. Tickets for the event are now on sale at www.jaxaxe.com, Bad Ass Coffee (Beach Blvd at Huffman), Walkabout Café (Atlantic and Hodges beside Outback Steakhouse) and Time Out Sports Grill (Beach Blvd just East of Hodges) |
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| Friday 26 th December 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDRL BOOST TO CAPE YORK LEAGUE THE Cairns District Rugby League has thrown further support behind the sport Under 2019s push into Cape York, investing $5000 in a talent identification program. The CDRL’s financial resources will back up work being done on the ground by new Queensland Rugby League development officers based on the Cape. David Westley (Weipa) and Dominic Carter (Bamaga), who took up development roles in October to service the Cape York and Torres Strait areas, will also act as talent spotters and steer youngsters to Cairns for a taste of higher level training and city life. CDRL president Nigel Tillett said the program had been initiated in partnership with the QRL’s Northern Division, which waived the $5000 licensing fee it charged Cairns to host the annual NRL pre-season trial. "It was waived on the condition we used it for talent ID," Tillett said. Players chosen will be given the opportunity to head to Cairns to train with an A grade club or, perhaps, the Northern Pride Academy. Tillett envisaged the program being made available to those from age 17 onwards who were not still at school. He singled out former Weipa product Palmer Wapau, now on contract with the Broncos, as an example of what could be achieved. "He’s an example of what we know they (the development officers) are going to find up there," Tillett said of the rampaging forward. Wapau paid his own way south to link with the Innisfail Leprechauns and former coach Terry Aquilina after initially being spotted by Kangaroos patriarch Tom Tassell in Weipa. He then left for Queensland Cup powerhouse Redcliffe and earned a contract with the Broncos after a standout season with the Dolphins. Tillett said league’s extra spend on the Cape was not a result of AFL’s continued work in the region but a response to what the community wanted. "We fought to get the QRL and State Government on board," Tillett said of years of negotiations for development officer funding. "We were aware of the success AFL had had up there and it just goes to show the communities want organised sport." |
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| Wednesday 24 th December 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 TEENAGERS Jharal Yow Yeh and Andrew McCullough have declared they want to play regularly in the NRL for Brisbane next season, and it would be foolish to bet against it. Yow Yeh's uncle Kevin was a flying machine for Balmain in the late 1960s and McCullough had a taste of the big-time last season when he made three appearances for the Broncos. They're pushing hard, letting everyone - especially Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak - know their intentions. McCullough, who turns 19 next month, has made the transition from lock to halfback to five-eighth to hooker. He knows experienced former Eels and Origin rake PJ Marsh and a hungry Aaron Gorrell, who returns to the NRL after a spell with French side Catalans, are ahead of him in the pecking order, but is confident he can make his mark. Yow Yeh, who scored 27 tries for the Broncos Under 20s last season, is not currently part of the club's top 25 players. However, that could change if he shines in the pre-season trials. Henjak hasn't finalised his wingers for next season, with conjecture prized recruit Israel Folau may take one position if he doesn't play in the centres. A Queensland and Australian schoolboy representative, McCullough is a believer in the saying "if you're good enough, you're old enough". "You see young fellas do it before and I don't think there's any age for you to be picked," he said. "It's more your football maturity than your age. "I'm a confident person but if I get too far ahead of myself, even the young guys pull you back down." McCullough has plenty of admirers who believe he's the real deal, if not this year then definitely in 2010. "I got three (NRL) games in last year and with a full pre-season I wouldn't mind the opportunity to get a fair few more games in," he said. "I'm just excited about it all. "I mean they've bought Gorrell and PJ played Origin last year so I'll just keep my head down and do my best." Getting some one-on-one tuition from a player like Allan Langer has blown McCullough away. "One day you're sitting at home back in Dalby watching Alfie play and now he's teaching me how to kick and pass. "Some days you have to pinch yourself." Yow Yeh has something coaches love - genuine speed. It was no surprise at training this week to see him explode away from his teammates and Olympic hurdles silver medallist Sally McLellan in a 40 metre sprint challenge at the University of Queensland on Monday. It was a timely reminder of the youngster's blistering pace that could look good on the end of an almost all-international Brisbane backline. "I would love to play outside either Justin Hodges or Israel Folau," he said with a grin. Henjak could give McCullough and Yow Yeh a chance in Brisbane's first trial game next year before the big names are ready to play. "There's a few young guys showing a lot of enthusiasm who are screaming out that they want a spot," said Henjak. "We won't know who is going to put their hand up until we start playing trials." |
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| Monday 22 nd December 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
MANY Queenslanders proudly donned the maroon jersey in 2008. Here is how the year unfolded on the representative stage. XXXX QUEENSLAND RESIDENTS Queensland’s disappointing form in the 2008 Origin curtain-raisers continued on the evening of June 11 when New South Wales Residents beat the XXXX Maroons 24-16. The result was not what many in the Suncorp Stadium stands were hoping for, particularly as NSW had won the Under 18 clash by a handsome margin earlier in the day and the Under 16 clash back in May. Even though NSW had wrestled the supremacy away from Queensland in the annual representative Residents clash, there was still a lot to like about the Maroons’ effort. Queensland showed plenty of grit to fight their way back into the contest late in the second half through tries to Cy Lasscock and Selasi Berdie. The clash against a strong NSW team also provided many of the Queensland representatives with an opportunity to further push their claims for a National Rugby League berth. Eight members of the Queensland team – Kaine Manihera, Brett Kelly, Chris Sheppard, Josh Lewis, Isaak Ah Mau, Scott Bolton, Selasi Berdie and Clint Amos – played at NRL level at some stage throughout the 2008 season. Scott Bolton was judged Queensland’s best in the eight point loss to NSW. The big forward was presented with the Players’ Player Award at the post-match function which was held in conjunction with the Queensland State of Origin team’s awards. QUEENSLAND UNDER 18'S The Queenslanders played with plenty of passion, but it wasn’t quite their night as NSW winger Matthew Wright raced in a hat-trick to spoil the home team’s party in the Under 18 clash at Suncorp Stadium. The classy NSW team piled on 22 unanswered points in the second half to record a comprehensive 34-12 victory. But the match was delicately poised at the break, with the half-time scoreline of 12-all reflective of the tight opening exchanges. New South Wales drew first blood in the third minute when a slick backline movement netted a try for the flying Wright. But Queensland struck back in the 14th minute with a spectacular four pointer to Gerard Beale. Young Norths Devils winger Ryan Tongia leapt high into the air to secure possession from a kick before offloading a freakish pass to Beale. New South Wales dominated the opening stages of the second half, with tries from Lachlan Coote and Mitchel Johnson. Wright scored two late tries inside the final 10 minutes to complete the scoring. Prop Josh McGuire was a standout for Queensland. McGuire made a number of bustling hitups in an inspirational performance. The home side was also well served by young back-rower Patrick O’Hanlon, who scored Queensland’s second try. QUEENSLAND UNDER 18 MAROONS A classy New South Wales Country team outplayed the Queensland Under 18 Maroons in their representative clash at Stockland Park, Kawana, on July 19. Doubles from NSW Country pair Rory Brien and Jason McGrady lifted the visiting team to a convincing 50-22 win. Marmin Barba, who played for the Northern Marlins in the State Carnival in Prosperine, did his best to stem the tide with two tries for the Maroons. While the final scoreline was disappointing for all concerned, it should be noted that steps have been taken to ensure future Queensland Under Age teams like this one are far more formidable. The QRL announced in September that new Under 16 and Under 18 Competitions would be staged in 2009. The Competition, which will be split into Southern and Northern Conferences, is expected to provide the State’s elite players with regular exposure to a high standard of play. It is hoped that these exciting Competitions will assist with the development of our best young players and ensure future Queensland teams are primed for battle against NSW. QUEENSLAND UNDER 16'S A brilliant opening burst from boom back-rower Korbin Sims couldn’t save Queensland from defeat in the Under 16 clash against New South Wales at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium. Sims, the younger brother of Broncos forward Ashton, made two clean breaks in the opening half. His first break paved the way for the opening try of the match to flying Queensland winger Josh Batalibasi, who slipped past two defenders to slide over in the left corner. Sims was at it again minutes later when he broke the line wide open with a powerful charge. But this time the NSW team couldn’t reel him in. NSW fullback William Hopoate made a desperate lunge but Sims kept the legs pumping and dived over to score a sizzling try near the posts. Mitchell Frei converted to put Queensland in front 16-12 at half-time. But NSW dominated the second half, with tries from Vaipuna Tia Kilifi, Jason Wehbe and Hopoate securing a 30-16 victory for the home side. In a great show of sportsmanship after the fulltime siren, players from both sides linked arms and congratulated each other in the middle of the field. QUEENSLAND UNDER 16 MAROONS The Maroons Under 16 team became the first and only Queensland Under Age team to taste success against New South Wales in 2008 when it beat Country NSW in a thriller. A committed Queensland team won the July 19 clash at the Sunshine Coast’s Stockland Park by two points. Tries from Japeth Vaoa, Nathan Kepa and Dean Blackman sealed the 12-10 victory for the Queenslanders. The gutsy win also provided a great start to the representative coaching career of Scott Dunshea. Dunshea and his support staff ensured the Maroons enjoyed a strong preparation. This match provided an important representative opportunity for players who narrowly missed out on selection in Queensland’s premier Under 16 team which played NSW in a curtain-raiser to State of Origin 1 in Sydney. XXXX QUEENSLAND RANGERS The beautiful Gold and Sunshine Coasts provided the setting for the annual Quadrangular Tournament in July. The Tournament, aimed at providing players from outside the elite competitions with opportunities in representative football, featured the XXXX Queensland Rangers, Great Britain Community Lions, NSW Country and a Jim Beam Cup selection. The talented Jim Beam Cup side proved too strong in the final, defeating NSW Country 28-8 on the Sunshine Coast. Queensland Rangers had to settle for third spot after missing the final following losses to NSW Country and Jim Beam Cup. The two defeats had come after Rangers made a bright start to the Tournament with a 30-16 victory over the Great Britain Community Lions on the Gold Coast. Ultimately, it was Queensland’s 28-26 loss to NSW Country which cost them any chance of qualifying for the big one. Rangers gave away a 20-point start before storming back into the contest and hitting the lead at one stage with a flurry of tries. But the narrow defeat left Rangers needing a big win over the Jim Beam Cup side in the final round match. But it was the Jim Beam Cup side which racked up the points on their way to a comprehensive 52-12 victory over the Queenslanders. Rangers were left to play-off for third spot and after a tight opening tussle, Rickie Dodd’s double was enough for the hosts to sink the Lions 34-16. Queensland back-rower Craig Snell was named the Tournament’s Best Forward at the presentation evening. The Queensland Rangers team was selected following the annual QRL Divisional Carnival on June 7-8 in Gatton in which the Northern Marlins and the Poinsettias were declared joint winners. XXXX CITY V XXXX COUNTRY The tiny Central Queensland town of Clermont came to life when the annual representative clash between City and Country rolled into town on May 31. The locals turned out in big numbers for the match despite the unfavourable weather conditions. Both sides produced a high-class display of rugby league, with Country eventually prevailing 25-18 on a slippery surface. Country had to fight hard for the win after City’s Adam Brideson broke the 12-12 half-time deadlock early in the second half with a neat try. But Country finished the match full of running to complete back-to-back wins over their City rivals. Big Tweed forward Selasi Berdie was one of many stars for the successful Country team. Berdie made the most of his late call up by scoring a try and winning his team’s man-of-the-match award. Country coach Paul Green said the victory capped off a memorable few days in Clermont which included sight-seeing trips to the mines, lawn bowls with the locals and a pre-match sportsman’s dinner at the Clermont Civic Centre. In a major boost for rugby league in the region, the City v Country clash featured on the same card as junior and senior games from the Central Highlands competitions. UNDER AGE CARNIVAL Under Age representative rugby league adopted a new format in 2008 following the establishment of the National Under 20s competition. The traditional Under 17 and Under 19 Carnival on the representative calendar was replaced by an Under 16 and Under 18 format. This Carnival was played in Proserpine from May 3-4. The Central Capras, Wide Bay Bulls, South West Mustangs, South East Queensland Poinsettias, North Queensland Marlins and the South East Queensland Kookaburras fielded teams in both age groups. The Carnival produced a high standard of rugby league as the players strived for further representative honours in the Queensland Under 16 and Queensland Under 18 teams. The best performing Under 16 teams in Proserpine were the Wide Bay Bulls, South East Queensland Poinsettias and Northern Marlins. The most consistent Under 18 teams were the Central Capras, South West Mustangs and South East Queensland Kookaburras. |
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| Saturday 20 th December 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 GOLD Coast Titans recruit Sam Howe has revealed he nearly returned home to Kempsey after a tough move to Tweed Heads at the end of last year to pursue an NRL contract. “It was definitely different. It was very hard at first and I was close to coming home at one stage, but my family told me to stick it out,” he said. The apprentice cabinet maker said leaving his family and friends in the Macleay was one of the toughest decisions he had made, but the move was now paying dividends. “I got a call up from the Titans the other week to say I’d been called up to the 30-man Toyota Cup squad,” Howe said. Howe has spent the past year plying his trade with the Tweed Head Seagulls in the FOGS (Former Origin Greats) under 20s competition, the pre-cursor to the Queensland Cup. It was a stellar year for the 19 year-old, who grabbed both the best forward and best and fairest awards for the Seagulls. Playing in the front row or locking the scrum, Howe has quickly established a reputation as a devastating ball runner and said his aim was to play at least half of the Titans Toyota Cup games in 2009. “There’s a fair bit of talent there so it’s going to be tight for spots,” he said. “My goal is to play 10 games. I’d be really happy with that.” A former Smithtown Tigers junior, Howe played two seasons with the Macleay Valley Mustangs under 18s side before signing with the Titans and moving north. He said since joining the Seagulls, his game had gone up another gear and he was now looking forward to showcasing his talents on a larger stage. “It’s a pretty tough competition up here. I was pretty surprised at how intense it was,” he said. |
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| Friday 19 th December 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 After six solid weeks of pre-season training, the CFMEU Canberra Raiders finished their pre-Christmas in house competition at Raiders HQ today, with team 1989 taking the honour of winning the inaugural Victor the Viking cup. Each Friday of the pre-season the Raiders NRL squad has been split into four teams which reflect the most successful seasons in the clubs history, 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1994, with teams competing for bragging rights within the squad. In the end there was one team that stood high above the rest, with Alan Tongue’s team 1989 winning all six weeks of the challenges, which included team games, the Raiders triathlon, and a series of physical and skill based tasks. Tongue said although his team went into the last week with an unassailable lead in the Cup, his team put it all on the line on the final day of competition to make it a true sporting finish. “We offered every team the chance to take us on and beat us on the last day to steal the cup from us, but we managed to hold on and win the final day and get the win,” Tongue said. “Team 1994 went close to getting us, but in the end we ended up holding on and getting the cup.” Tongue said the team challenge had been a great way to finish off each week during the pre-season, and said it was encouraging to see new players to the club getting involved and having some fun on the training paddock. “The guys have really enjoyed this part of the pre-season and there has been some fun stuff involved like catching balls from the ball launcher, playing kick tennis, doing rowing challenges and other games,” he said. “The new guys have been doing well too, and in our wining team we have Sam Huihahau, Josh McCrone, and Bronson Harrison who has joined us for the final week.” The Raiders NRL squad will have one more training session on Monday before the Christmas break, with the NRL squad returning to the training paddock on January 8 next year. |
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| Thursday 18 th December 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The push for Canowindra to form an under 18s side gathered pace when a specially convened meeting brought about “more positives than negatives” at the Canowindra Services Club on Tuesday night. The Tigers are looking for a nursery for some of their most talented junior players who are often lured away to Group 10 clubs such as the Cowra Magpies and Orange CYMS. But a productive discussion attended by Group 10 secretary Peter McDonald and 16 potential players has given Canowindra the green light to form a junior side in either the Woodbridge Cup or Group 10. Canowindra official Barry Traves said ideally the Tigers will play alongside their senior outfit in a proposed Woodbridge Cup junior competition, but did leave the door open for entry into Group 10 if the former does not eventuate. There is a February 10 cut-off for Woodbridge Cup clubs to nominate a junior side. “The feeling was they would try and push to have an under 18s competition in the Woodbridge Cup,” Traves said. “That would be the preferred idea and easier to manage seeing a lot of fellas played against those fellas in (Group 11) junior league. “If they couldn’t form a competition by then, we could still get in in plenty of time for Group 10.” An under 18s competition in the Woodbridge Cup is set to include between four and six teams. Traves admitted if Canowindra opted to compete with Group 10’s juniors, there would be some concerns about the Tigers’ competitiveness. “The one major concern with the Group 10 competition was competing with the stronger sides,” he conceded. “Injuries would be a concern if a few of the more mature players were hurt, depth might be tested. “But a few of other players would improve playing in that standard of competition. “Canowindra Junior League has been strong for a number of years. “Five sides made the semis last season and two teams, the 10s and 11s, won the competition. “(But) after discussions, it was more positive than negative to go ahead with the idea.” |
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There was an early Christmas present for the Picker family today at Raiders HQ, with brothers Michael and Ben Picker both re-signing contracts with the Raiders to keep them in Canberra for at least the next two seasons. The two younger members of the Picker clan have emulated their older brother Joe’s re-signing earlier this season, with Michael re-signing until 2010 while Ben joins Joe at the Raiders until the end of 2011. After steering the Raiders to a Toyota Cup premiership in 2008 from five-eighth Michael said he’s happy he’s been able to remain in Canberra with his brothers, and is already keen to build on his achievements of the season passed. “It’s great to have my future sorted before Christmas and the New Year, and I can now come back looking forward to 2009 and know that I’m here for a bit longer,” Michael said. “For us being brothers and knowing that we’re all here together is great, and there’s a real family feeling around the club amongst all the players.” Michael said its great to have his brothers with him at the Raiders and he’s enjoying living in Canberra with his older brother Joe, but said younger brother Ben still had to wait before he claimed the spare room at their place. “Having your family at the club you know you’ve always got someone to turn to and someone to talk to if things aren’t going well, and you can do the same for them,” he said. “Mum’s not prepared to let him [Ben] leave home yet, so he’s got to finish year eleven and twelve in Crookwell before he comes over permanently.” After a stunning 2008 season which saw him cement an NRL position and play representative football for the Prime Ministers XIII, Joe Picker said it’s great to see his brothers making the same steps he’s made in the past. “We all wanted to stay together if we could and it’s turned out that we are so we’re all pretty happy with it,” Joe said. “This is the closest club to our home in Bigga and we enjoy it here and we’re a tight knit family who likes to hang around each other.” “We’ve all done the traveling at junior level and now that Ben’s doing it he knows where you can go if you work hard.” As the youngest of four brothers Ben has established himself at junior level with the Green Machine in the under 16’s competition at hooker, and will use the next three seasons to make his way through the Raiders ranks. Ben Picker said he’ll carry on the family tradition of traveling to train with the Raiders while he’s still at school, and is already keen to get back on the field after a broken wrist ended his 2008 season early. “I’ll stay at home and go to school in Crookwell and travel over to train. I’ve watched the boys do it before so I know what’s involved,” Ben said. “I’m really looking forward to getting back out there this year and hopefully making my own way into the higher grades in the future.” |
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| Wednesday 17 th December 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Story By : Photo By :  KEMPSEY’S Albert Kelly will be an integral part of the Parramatta Eels Toyota Cup squad next season. Kelly and his Eels team mates recently attended a Toyota Cup induction camp ahead of the 2009 season to meet with their peers and listen to advice from past and present on what to expect in the big leagues. Parramatta’s strong 34-man squad started training in mid November and looks like it will again be a leading contender in next year’s Toyota Cup title race. The squad includes 15 players with previous Toyota Cup experience and a wealth of talented youngsters stepping up from the SG Ball competition. Head coach Matt Cameron said the team would be fully prepared come the 2009 season kick off. “You can’t replicate experience so it’s a definite plus to have so many players having already played Toyota Cup. However, last season counts for very little with so many new guys coming in,” he said. The Eels side will boast three members of this year’s Australian Schoolboys side, including Kelly. “We’re fortunate to have three Schoolboys in Tim Auremi, Albert Kelly and Daniel Galati in the squad and we’ve recruited strongly if selectively from outside,” Cameron said. “Ultimately Parramatta’s focus is on developing our juniors and this squad is reflective of that, with the vast majority of the squad coming from junior clubs within our district and through the club’s district representative program.” The Eels finished fifth on the 2008 Toyota Cup ladder and were eventually bundled out in week two of the finals. |
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NEW HOME FOR JUNIORS WORK on developing eight junior rugby league fields at Equex Centre in Wagga will start next week. Wagga City Council yesterday announced a contractor – D & L McCallum Earthmoving Pty Ltd – had been appointed to carry out the job, which will provide a home for junior football in the city. Wagga Junior Rugby League used Staunton Park as its base until the end of last season, but the venue is now in the hands of developers. Council’s manager of parks and recreation services, David Walker, said the Equex Centre project would involve removing the existing top soil and grass cover and levelling the area. Walker said placing a large quantity of soil, installing a field irrigation and drainage system and sprigging and establishment of the grass playing surface would also be required. “Council is making considerable progress with the relocation of junior rugby league to the Exhibition Centre,” he said. “The contractor for the field development has experience in major works on sport fields at Junee, Coolamon and West Wyalong. From next week Field Two at the Exhibition Centre will be a hive of activity to start developing the ground.” He said there was a contingency plan if the Equex Centre grounds were unavailable for the start of the 2009 junior league season. “Council has liaised with junior rugby league to have in place options if the timeframe before the new season starting in April 2009 is not achievable due to a short summer growing period and weather conditions,” he said. Council’s remaining budget for the relocation of junior rugby league to Equex Centre is $1.75 million. The funding is for field development works, a new amenities building and ground lighting. Tenders are currently being sought for the building of a new amenities block to accommodate junior rugby league. |
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| Tuesday 16 th December 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 CYMS life member Martin Nelson and ex player Greg McIntosh have recently been named to coach the clubs under-18s side for the coming 2009 Tooheys New Group 11 rugby league season. Both players have had a long association with the club, racking up over 20 years of service between the two of them. McIntosh played in the premiership winning CYMS reserve grade side last season, and coached the 2001 first grade premiership winning side also. Nelson last played with CYMS in their first grade premiership winning side in 2004 and was made a life member of the club in the years since then. It is the first time since 2006 that the club has had duel current players and ex players coaching all three grades, with Shawn Townsend and Justin Yeo coaching first grade, Tim O’Neill and Josh Large leading reserves and now McIntosh and Nelson replacing 2008 juniors coach Rod Frail. CYMS president Kevin Walkom is excited to see experienced past and present players take on coaching duties for the 2009 season and believes all men will lead the club to yet another successful rugby league season. “CYMS is very excited to have dual ex players and current players coaching all three grades,” Walkom said. “Greg and Martin will bring a lot of experience to the juniors and they both boast over 10 years with the club.” McIntosh said he is excited about taking on the role of coach along side Nelson, and says he looks forward to working on the coaching board with Yeo and Townsend. “By the looks of it the 18s side for 2009 has a strong nucleus with the players coming in and the ones remaining,” McIntosh said. “For us it will be no pressure, it will be more about getting the boys to enjoy their football and enjoy playing with the club. “For Martin and I its also a great way of giving back to the club.” Training for all CYMS grades will start Friday January 16 at Victoria Park No.2 Oval. |
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 EXCITING young rugby union prospect Kanwal's Trent Lake has won a sporting scholarship to Saint Ignatius College at Riverview. Trent, 16, this season has been a member of the Central Coast Storm's SG Ball rugby league squad and also represented in the National Indigenous Schoolboys rugby union team, catching the eye of former dual international and rugby talent scout Michael O'Connor. "Trent impressed Michael, especially with his speed in the centres, and I believe he has a bright future in rugby union," Wyong Shire Council's Aboriginal Youth Development worker Matt Sonter said. So rugby union, instead of rugby league, looks like gaining the budding young star especially as he will be a student at St Ignatius, a school noted for producing elite rugby players. "I've played both league and union and prefer union because there is more room for the centres to move in and it's a true world game," said Trent, who will start at St Ignatius College on January 28. Locally Trent has played rugby for the Warnervale Wildcats as a five-eighth and centre. Sonter, a former Australian Rugby Sevens player, said Trent has a similar style to that of former rugby great Gary Ella. Recently at his school athletics carnival (Gorokan High) he clocked 11.3 seconds for 100 metres at the Mingara synthetic track, though he has never trained specifically for athletics. "I like going to Gorokan High where I have lots of friends but St Ignatius has been a rugby school since 1892 and the coaches there should help to improve my game," Trent said. Trent will be a year 11 student next year and after school is thinking of making physical education teaching his career. "My immediate aims are to make the college firsts team, complete my schooling and, who knows what will come next," he said. The school's motto is: "As much as you can do, so much dare to do" and that seems a worthy aim for a young rugby player of Trent's ability. |
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| Saturday 13 th December 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Story & Photo's By : Israel Falou, Mitchell Pearce & Chris Sandow all in the Top 4, were member's of Simon Huntley's undefeated ASSRL rampage through France and the United Kingdom this time in 2006. Lachlan Coote & Wade Graham were Schoolboys last year and Patrician Brother's Blacktown's Jamal Idris played against the visiting French and English touring sides in Brisbane in this years ASSRL team. It's an impressive list of talented young men from the major rugby league playing nations, with Sydney's west contributing with excellent development programs and a very large player base. There are penty of Queenslanders in the rugby league world mag's top 50 junior players including 17 year old Jordan Rankin from Palm Beach Currumbin SHS. Happy Christmas and bring on the 2009 footy season.
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| Friday 12 th December 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
VAGANA GETS NRL MENTOR ROLE  FORMER Kiwi international Nigel Vagana will join the NRL as an education and welfare officer in January next year. Vagana, the former Warriors, Canterbury, Cronulla and South Sydney player, replaces former Test prop Jason Stevens who held the role earlier this year before resigning. Vagana's role will involve getting players to focus on off-field education opportunities and careers after football. The 33-year-old former Test centre said he was a firm believer in experienced players providing guidance to their younger counterparts. "I was fortunate to be mentored by a number of senior players early in my career at the Warriors and this helped set me on the right path,'' he said. "When I came to the Bulldogs I decided to take up an architectural technology course which both gave me a sense of security for the future and ensured I had a balanced perspective about football.'' |
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| Thursday 11 th December 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BRAMLEY’S REWARD Story By : QRL MEDIA RELEASE HAVING guided the Souths Logan Magpies to a breakthrough Queensland Cup premiership, rising coach Paul Bramley now has the opportunity to make his mark on the representative stage. Bramley replaces Mark Gee as coach of the XXXX Queensland Residents team which is desperate for revenge after a narrow loss to NSW in June this year. Bramley, whose Souths Logan side defeated the Ipswich Jets 24-18 in an epic 2008 grand final, will be supported by Mark Zillman. Another rising coach, the Northern Pride’s Andrew Dunemann, will make his entry on the representative stage next year when he takes control of the XXXX Country team. Wynnum Manly’s Shane McNally will again coach the XXXX City outfit. Former Ipswich Jets FOGS Cup coach Paul Lowe is the new man in charge of the XXXX Queensland Rangers. Lowe, who has also accepted a position as Darren Smith’s assistant at the Easts Tigers, will prepare the Rangers for a Quad series in Sydney in July. XXXX RESIDENTS Coach - Paul Bramley (Assist. Mark Zillman); Manager - Kerry Crosbie; FAO - Paul Herron; Physiotherapist - Adam Schumacher. XXXX RANGERS Coach - Paul Lowe; Manager - Graham Campbell; FAO - John Newton; Physiotherapist - Sarah Lewis. QUEENSLAND UNDER 18S Coach - Dennis Moore (Assist. Scott Dunshea); Manager - Dan Moran; FAO - Tamara Pitt; Physiotherapist – TBA. QUEENSLAND UNDER 18 MAROONS Coach - Mark Crimston; Manager - Jason Green; FAO - Greg Sleigh; Physiotherapist – TBA. QUEENSLAND UNDER 16S Coach - Jon Buchanan (Assist. Brendan Lam); Manager - Tony Dixon; FAO - Gerald Thompson; Physiotherapist - Damian Cocciolone. QUEENSLAND UNDER 16 MAROONS Coach - Adrian Suttie; Manager - John Bignell; FAO - Brett Sartor; Physiotherapist – TBA. CITY Coach - Shane McNally; Manager - Mal Long; FAO - Matt Thornton; Physiotherapist - Adam Schumacher. COUNTRY Coach - Andrew Dunemann; Manager - Glenn Butcher; FAO - Matthew Barradeen; Physiotherapist - Sarah Lewis. |
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 TWO years ago he was laying tiles for a dollar and wondering when he would be able to resume his rugby league career with the Umina Bunnies. Now Jimmy Fawcett's wildest dream has become a reality after being offered the chance of a lifetime with the Newcastle Knights. Fawcett, a 20-year-old Central Coast product, has signed a two-year contract with the Knights and admits he still has trouble believing he is training each day with seasoned professionals. "Big shock, big shock," he said. "Even now, I'm training with guys like Ben Cross and I'm just pinching myself. "I'm just thinking 'What am I doing here?' I'd be happy watching them train, let alone training with them. "It's just out of this world." Fawcett's achievement is even more notable when you consider two years of his career were virtually written off after suffering the injury all footballers dread a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. "I was only playing club footy, so I had to get the reconstruction done on public health," he said. "I was waiting 18 months to get the op done, and then I did physio every day for five months to get back and play last season. "I was pretty much out for two years, but the good thing is I've had no problems with my knee since." When he finally returned to action for Umina, Fawcett figured the closest he would ever get to NRL football was watching it on TV. "I knew I was going to play footy again, but not at this level," he said. "I thought I was destined to just be a club footballer and play local first grade. That's pretty much what I had my mind set on." The stringbean fullback, who stands 191 centimetres and weighs 89 kilograms, may have been out of sight, but he was far from out of mind. Bulldogs recruitment officer Keith Onslow, who lives on the Central Coast, was well aware of his potential and brought him to Belmore for the first season of the National Youth Competition in 2008. Onslow then joined the Knights and had no hesitation in recommending Fawcett to head coach Brian Smith, who was quickly sold 15 tries in 20 NYC games for the Dogs underlined Fawcett's credentials. "Keith said, 'He's your sort of player. You'll like coaching him,' " Smith said. "We watched him a bit on video and knew he could score a try. He can run. He's got a really good motor and pretty good support play. "He's a bit green, but he'll get some intense coaching, and he's got a great role model in Kurt Gidley. "The world's his oyster, that boy, because he's prepared to do anything. He's just so dedicated." Fawcett is realistic about his prospects of top-grade action in 2009 but hopes opportunity might come knocking when Gidley has representative duties. "Hopefully I can get a game in first grade," he said. "I guess I just have to take my chances and rip in at training. If I don't play first grade this year, I'm not going to be disappointed. "I've still got a year up my sleeve and I just want to learn and develop as much as I can. My chances will probably be limited, but I'm not just a fullback, I can play outside backs if they need me." Smith said Fawcett's rise was a "bloody miracle" but warned he would need to bulk up to become a genuine first-grade option. |
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| Wednesday 10 th December 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
After the Annual General Meeting at NSWRL Headquarters in Phillips St Sydney on Saturday the 7 th December, the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges have elected Mr. Nal Wijesekera from La Salle College Bankstown as the new President. Former president and Australian Schoolboys coach Mr. Simon Huntley did not stand this year due to his promotion at work at Kildare Catholic College, Wagga Wagga. . Nal Wijesekera is an experienced coach and has been in control of the Canterbury Bulldogs Harold Matthew's Cup coach which included a Premiership in 2007. Nal is now the head coach of the St. George Dragons SG Ball Cup side for 2009 and will bring a sweet change to the culture at the Dragons. Other new people on the NSWCCC Executive are : President : Nal Wijesekera (La Salle College Bankstown) Mr. James Clancy (De La Salle College Revesby Heights) has been re elected as Purchasing/Publicity officer and will continue to do a top job as has Mr. Mark Falkenmire who retains the Vice Presidency of NSW CCC Country.  For more real good news Click here to download the NSW CCC Annual Report | .pfd (2.76 megs)| Learn More about NSWCCC HERE |
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 WE'LL FIND out next Friday whether Titans flyer Shannon Walker is the fastest man in rugby league when he represents the Titans in the inaugural North Sydney Sprint Classic Carnival. Walker will represent the Titans in the inaugural North Sydney Sprint Classic Carnival in honour of one of league's (and he Gold Coast Bulletin's) favourite sons, Ken Irvine. Clubs have nominated their quickest to race over 100 yards (91.4 meters), the distance over which Ken set a world professional record of 9.3 seconds in 1963. Recently voted as a member of rugby league's team of the century, Ken scored 212 tries in a stellar career for North Sydney and Manly. After retiring from rugby league Ken came to the Gold Coast and was a sports writer on the Bulletin until his death in 1991. |
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| Tuesday 9 th December 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
After their successful tour of France & the UK this year, the AIS rugby league team arrived home on 2 different planes with the NSW boys flying into Sydney and the Queensland boys in Brisbane. All the NSW boys looked wrapped to be home and with their families, it was good to see some of you parents at the airport. That about it from ourfootyteam for this tour, we plan on catching up with the coaches Brian Johnston & Brendan Barlow over the next few days. Thank you to all of you who sent in your messages while the team was freezing in the northern hemisphere, good on ya's.. LEARN MORE |
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 SOME of the best and brightest up-and-coming Cowboys were put through their paces yesterday afternoon as the annual Elite Camp kicked off at Dairy Farmers Stadium. Thirty-three juniors from as young as 14 and hailing from North Queensland, New South Wales, New Zealand and the Northern Territory started their first day of the week-long camp with a skills session under the guidance of first grade coach Neil Henry. During their stay they will be tested in a full NRL-quality week of skill, weights and coaching sessions to prepare them for the rigours of professional football. Cowboys recruitment manager Clint Zammit is overlooking the camp and said it was a mutually beneficial exercise which would also give the club a chance to identify the NRL players of the future. "It's an opportunity for us to get all our elite kids into an NRL environment that hopefully they're going to be a part of in the next three or four years when they continue on and come out of school," he said. "It also gives them an opportunity to see what we have to offer them after school and hopefully they'll be a big part of playing NYC and progressing on. "I think we've got some good kids here and it gives them a great opportunity to see what we do as a club. "It's a good week for them, we put them through what's very similar to an NRL week. "The kids go through and do wrestling, skills, game simulation, weights and we have talks on nutrition – there's plenty to learn and plenty to take on." One of the young players is 15-year-old Alice Springs back Quinton Pomare-Anderson who has been signed by the club for three years. The gifted athlete has already shown a huge amount of promise in a range of sports and was picked in the Australian Merit team at the under-15 National Schoolboy Championships and received a NT Institute of Sport national club representative award for the sport. Despite excelling at other sports, including AFL, he said his heart lay in rugby league. "I was born around it, just lived around it," he said. "My Dad played and I tried every other code _ league was the way to go. "There's a lot more here than there is back home so I've got to start learning." North Queensland has proven to be a rich breeding ground for talented players in recent times with 13 players selected in the Queensland team this year and three for Australia. Zammit said the camp was vital in keeping their minds on the job to elevate them all the way to the top. "You get them in an environment where you can see their attitude, they can interact with other kids and then when we put them in tough situations we can see how they react there," he said. "Playing footy is only a small part of it, attitude is a big thing – you've got to be a good person." |
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| Sunday 7 th December 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Great Britain Community Lions U18s 12 v 52 Australian Institute of Sport Leigh Sporting Village The Australian Institute of Sport have won the Discovery Cup tri-series after a convincing victory over the Great Britain Community Lions at Leigh Sports Village. The final game of the series was scheduled to be played in St. Helens but had to be relocated because of a frozen pitch at the GPW Recruitment Stadium. The Aussies had the best of the early exchanges and raced into a 12 - 0 lead thanks to quick fire tries from Jake Seaton and Jordan Rankin. The Community Lions recovered well though and had a good spell of possession in Australia’s half, Substitute Tom Connick kept the Lions in the game with a well deserved try for the home side.. Learn more |
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| Saturday 6 th December 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Congratulations to the NRL and in particular the player development and welfare deptartmant for running a much improved Induction Camp. This weeks camp included 6 NRL team & they included the Cronulla Sharks, Canterbury Bulldogs, Newcastle Knights, Parramatta Eels, Canberra Raiders & the Sydney Roosters. More Soon and heaps of NYC Camp photo's from day 1.. LEARN MORE |
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| Thursday 4 th December 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Due to the recent cold weather, the pitch at the GPW Recruitment Stadium (St Helens) is unplayable. As a result the game between Great Britain U18 Community Lions and the AIS has now been moved to the home of Leigh East ARLFC and will be played on their recently installed 3G pitch. The kick off has been moved to 7.45pm and admission is now free of charge.Second Test GBCL U18's v AIS Thursday 4th December Leigh Sports Village, Leigh East ARLFC Kick Off 7.45pm - Admission Free |
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| ST. HELENS FOOTY GROUND FROZEN SOLID
THe 2nd Test between the AIS and the GB Community Lions will have to be moved as the Saints home ground is FROZEN - heheheheh, now that has to be one of the funniest things we have heard at ourfootyteam this year. Still laughing but anyway, according to Richard Donlon from Rugby League Services in Yorkshire, the game is most likely to be moved to Leigh, Leith is a small amature club with a G3 pitch, in Leigh, still in the County of York. |
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AIS, Australian Schoolboys & future NRL star Jordan Rankin was kind enough to talk to ourfootyteam this morning from somewhere in York, forgot to ask where they are actually. |
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| Wednesday 3 rd December 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LIONS READY TO FIGHT BACK The Great Britain Community Lions U18s are ready to fight back. After suffering a heavy 54-2 defeat in last weeks first test against the Australian Institute of Sport, coach Carl Briscoe is determined that his young Lions will improve in the second test. “We were all disappointed with how it went last week and we’ll be looking to make a massive improvement in the second test,” said Briscoe. “We came up against a typical Australian side that played superb support rugby, but our players deserve praise for their effort. We’ll be looking to play a lot smarter this time round and it’s something we’ll definitely have to do if we want to compete at this level.” AIS coach Brian Johnson - no stranger to British fans following his spell in charge of Warrington – was pleased with his side’s performance at Dewsbury and is now looking for them to carry it on into the St Helens clash. “Our job now is to convince the players that the Community Lions aren’t as poor as the score line suggests,” said Johnson. “Runaway scores like that can happen but I’m sure the Lions will be trying to square the balance on Thursday night.”.. LEARN MORE HERE |
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| Tuesday 2 nd December 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
After the AIS's firey victory in the 1st Test against the Great Britian Community Lions we caught up with AIS super coach Brian Johnston. We asked Brian Johnston in what area did the Aussies dominate? :The score did not reflect the quality of the game or the players involved. We managed to come out on top in the first sorting out period. Thing just went right for us from then on." Brain wanted to point out that if not for the boys getting on top in the first few tough few minutes if could have gone either way. "We had contributations from the whole team, Ryan James was outstanding, our hooker was sensational in defence and while running the ball." Brian proudly said The Aussies get it on in the 2nd Test vs the GB comminity Lions on Friday morning Aussie time and have moved base camp to York, thats where William Wallace chopped of the King's cousins head in the Mel Gibson movie BraveHeart.. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AIS TOUR |
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| Monday 1 st December 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
YOU can take your pick when it comes to exciting youngsters rising through the Gold Coast Titans' ranks. But in terms of the boom rookie for 2009, it is hard to go past Kevin Gordon. To call him `Flash' Gordon is almost an understatement -- this kid can motor. One of the standouts of the Titans' inaugural Toyota Cup under-20 campaign, flyer Gordon scored 21 tries in as many appearances. Significantly, his four-pointers accounted for more than half the total tries scored by the under-20s. Gordon was later named in the Toyota Cup Team of the Year and was also judged the Titans' Players Player in the under-20s. Add the fact he has piled on 6kg in just three months since the 2008 season finished and it is easy to see why Gordon is touted to make his NRL debut next year. "We'd expect that he'll push for a first grade spot in 2009 and certainly put some pressure on some of the centres and wingers at the club, given his performances last year," said Titans managing director Michael Searle. With experienced campaigners Michael Hodgson (Bulldogs), Luke Swain (Super League) James Stosic (Super League), Josh Lewis (Balmain), Matt Petersen (Super League), Clint Amos (Cowboys), Gavin Cooper (Panthers) and Matt Cross (Storm) moving on this year, the Titans have looked to the future. Gordon, who is still eligible for the Toyota Cup in 2009, is one of a host of exciting youngsters training with the full-time squad over the pre-season. Leading the charge for the next generation of Titans is backrower Will Matthews, who was the standout rookie of the year for the Gold Coast in 2008. Titans coach John Cartwright has a high opinion of Matthews and it would not be surprising to see him in the starting 17 come round one. And the likes of World Cup representatives Esi Tonga (Tonga) and David Moore (PNG) bolster the Titans' outside back stocks. Young hooker Kayne Lawton is another tipped for big things. Lawton bench presses the most in the club and will be a strong replacement should anything happen to No.1 rake Nathan Friend. Prop Bodene Thompson will most likely start the year with feeder club Tweed Heads but if his form in the under-20s this year was anything to go by, he will be one of the first drafted to the top squad should Cartwright need an aggression injection. Frontrower Siosaia Vave already looks a lot fitter after a month training with the top squad and will be a leader of the under-20s when he returns for his second season of Toyota Cup next year. And still waiting in the wings is Shannon Walker, who by his own admission struggled with the expectations last season. While some have been quick to write him off, the reality is Walker is a very special talent and the Titans are prepared to give him the time he needs to realise his full potential. |
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BULLDOGS import Brett Kimmorley has a new shadow at training sessions, with Belmore wonderboy Ben Barba ordered to match Noddy in every aspect of their pre-season workouts. Be it sprints, weights, ballwork or outrigger canoes, the budding NRL star has been told to match it with the man whose signature was seen as crucial to rebuilding the Bulldogs,. And just for the record, when Kimmorley made his NRL debut with Newcastle, Barba was six. |
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 Wests Tigers star Robbie Farah and his manager, Sam Ayoub, will fly to the Gold Coast tomorrow for talks with Titans officials as the battle to sign one of the game's most sought-after players heats up. Because he has only one year left on his contract with the Tigers, Farah is allowed to negotiate with other clubs for 2010 and he is keen to settle his future - whether it involves staying with the Tigers or going - before next season begins. Melbourne, Queensland and Australian star Cameron Smith, who, too, is entering the final year of his contract, is also in the sights of the Titans, who are determined to snare either him or Farah to take over at hooker. Ayoub said the Titans, who snared one of Farah's teammates from the Tigers line-up that won the 2005 premiership - halfback Scott Prince - at the end of 2006 for their entry into the competition last year, were one of two NRL clubs seriously interested in pursuing Farah at this stage. He would not reveal the other club, but the list is likely to grow once other clubs realise Farah is looking around. "Robbie and I are flying up late on Tuesday and coming back on Wednesday," Ayoub said yesterday. "We'll be talking to [Titans managing director] Michael Searle, [coach] John Cartwright and a few other people at the club, and Robbie will be having a good look around at the club's facilities and the district up there. "I met with Tigers officials recently and the club is aware that other clubs are showing strong interest in him, and that Robbie wants to see what other options are available before he makes a decision. It will be a very big decision for him.".. LEARN MORE HERE |
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| Sunday 30 th NOvember 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Story & Photo's By Next years National Youth Competition players have been at next years NRL Toyota Cup Induction Camp with 5 clubs sending their squads to the 2 day camp. THe Dragons, Rabbitoh's, SeaEagles, Tigers & the Panthers young guns enjoyed their couple days together in what is a very well organised and ran induction camp. Most of these players have played with or against each other either at school or in rep games and all the boys got on well. Some of the boys have been playing around Sydney for a while now while some other blokes are from the bush. Blokes like former Farrer MAHS skipper Scott Blanch, a country boy who was saying that they are having floods at home and he hopes all the wheat on his farm doesn't rot. "One of the hardest things when joining a new club is not knowing anyone, Manly are great, all the boys are very friendly and welcomed me straight away" said Scott between lectures. When you get to be good at sport like these young blokes, they are often taken more notice of than you and me. The NRL through its player developemnt and welfare system are trying to let the boys know of some of the situations that may arise and cause a bit of strife, or worse, end ya footy career instantly. What do these camps try to achive we asked Toyota Cup Manager Michael Buettner. "Basically to congratulate them on getting this far, also to give them understanding of the responsibility and expectations on them from a club and a game perspective" Michael said What is the difference between this camp and others? "The enthusium of the players has been outstanding, the whole camp just seemed to flow well" Things roll on and the rest of the NSW teams get together on Friday for their clubs NYC Induction Camp the the Queensland boys get to have a go the following week.| FOLLOW THE AUSSIE AIS BOYS IN ENGLAND | |
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| Saturday 29 th November 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ANOTHER year. Another Toyota Cup camp. So now the wait begins. Because every season things begin exactly like they did at Sydney University yesterday. Some 75 teenage footballers getting together to talk alcohol, gambling, drugs and respecting women. They listen intently to retired Shark Jason Stevens. Then former Tiger Mark O'Neill. Together this duo reveal what it takes to make it. Warning of the dangers. And working through a program O'Neill calls Aspiring To Inspire. And then, after two days of positive vibes, they're thrown back at their clubs like Lotto balls - the only question being which one drops first. "But we know there are always going to be those blokes who slip through the cracks," Toyota Cup manager Mick Buettner explains. "Those who just don't learn from their own mistakes. Who don't learn from the mistakes of others." Of course, there is no way to measure just how successful these rookie camps are. No way to know with whom the message strikes hardest. Which life is moved into action by the words of those who've been there before. So is the NRL winning the battle? "Oh definitely," says Buettner. "Although I don't see battle as the right term. It's about changing attitudes, changing a culture. About showing these guys how to survive in today's game." And so we wait. (OURFOOTYTEAM WILL BE COVERING THE INDUCTION CAMP FROM TODAY) |
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Story & Photo By : Steve Little (North Sydney Bears) The great survivors of Rugby League North Sydney, have this year become the great achievers: Even the North Sydney Representative Junior Sides have proved that North Sydney, can become a pathway for a successful football career: Five junior Bears joined the South Sydney Under-20s team under the feeder club agreement, including: Dylan Farrell, John Kaifoto, Chris Farrell, Brad Lupi and Mitch Williams. NRL halfback Mitchell Pearce, part of the Bears Harold Matthews squads in 2004 and 2005, before being signed by the Roosters, this year made the NSW State of Origin side. Talented Kiwi up and comer Liam Foran is a local junior from Asquith Magpies who progressed through all grades at North Sydney from Harold Matthews, SG Ball, Jersey Flegg to Premier League, before being signed by the Bears former feeder club Melbourne, achieving his NRL debut this year. SG Ball players who have now played through to their 3rd year for the Bears after starting out in the Harold Matthews team in 2006 include: Jayson Lombardo, Casey Faets, Dane Stretton, Justin Joudo and Josh Nicholls (fourth year). But what many would believe to be the true recognition for an individual player are the Club player awards. Congratulations to the following award winners in the Centenary Year of the North Sydney Club :
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| Friday 28 th November 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Australian Institute of Sport rugby league team have smashed the Great Britain Community Lions Under 18's at Tetley Stadium over night. The young Australians controlled the game from the kick off with some typical hard work and discipline and held a formidable 2 - 32 lead at half time. Wavell SHS super star Kurt Baptiste had a blinder steering the Aussie's around Tetley Stadium at Hooker and was rewarded with the Coaches Man of the Match Award in a powerful team effort.. LEARN MORE & FOLLOW THE BOYS 2008 RAMPAGE THRU' ENGLAND |
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 The pathway for junior rugby league players on the Gold Coast is set to be enhanced next season with the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans electing to enter a team into the Harold Matthews competition in 2009. Following on from the success of the Jetstar Titans’ inaugural year in the SG Ball (under-18s) competition, the Gold Coast will become the only Queensland club to field a team in the under-16s Harold Matthews competition as of next season. The decision means the next generation of homegrown Jetstar Titans will receive the chance to test themselves against the strongest junior sides in the country over a 13-week competition, which culminates in a finals series. Jetstar Titans managing director Michael Searle said the presence of a Jetstar Gold Coast Titans team in the NSW-based Harold Matthews competition would provide the best possible pathway for the club’s juniors from the age of 16 right through to the NYC under-20s competition. “The fact our local under-16 players can wear the Titans jersey and play against the likes of the Parramatta Eels, Bulldogs, Manly and all of the other elite NRL clubs is a massive bonus to our boys from the Gold Coast, Ipswich & Northern NSW,’’ said Searle. “They will fly to Sydney every second week and you can’t measure just how much that will help their development as future NRL players. It also offers us a great way of ensuring our players can stay on the Gold Coast and still compete in an elite competition week-in and week-out. “Our club’s philosophy has always been about elite pathways, to ensure that an individual can elevate his skill and fitness level at a young age. We only contract 30 players and we invest heavily in their personal and physical development. “This new initiative is testament to the fact that we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring Gold Coast, Ipswich and Northern NSW kids no longer have to move to Sydney to play in an elite competition like the Harold Matthews Under-16 competition. “The club will also be supporting the Gold Coast Juniors and Gold Coast Rugby League (under-16s and under-18s) in the QRL-run competition via a sponsorship and resource sharing perspective in 2009.’’ With much of the Jetstar Titans’ emphasis being placed on homegrown talent, almost 90 per cent of the 27-member squad selected to play in next year’s Harold Matthews competition is from either Gold Coast or the Northern Rivers areas. Jetstar Titans head coach John Cartwright said it was a further step towards the club’s long-term plan of having players from the Gold Coast, Northern Rivers and Ipswich regions making up 50 per cent of the NRL squad within the next five years. “Having our own team in the Harold Matthews competition will provide a platform for local juniors to be able to familiarise themselves with the rigours of tough competition on a week-to-week basis as well as helping them to get used to the travel involved,’’ said Cartwright. “Given the success we had with our SG Ball team, who made the finals in their inaugural season last year, I’m sure the new-look Harold Matthews team will be a key investment in our future.’’ The under-16s squad will be coached by Aaron Zimmerle, who is the head of sport at Palm Beach Currumbin High School and last year was the captain/coach for South Tweed’s A Grade team in the Northern Rivers competition. Zimmerle said the Harold Matthews competition was the best avenue for youngsters who were aspiring to become professional footballers. “We’re really excited about them playing in an elite competition in NSW because we feel it’s the best way to help their development,’’ he said. “We have picked squads of up to 30 kids which means that even though a team of 17 is being picked each week to play games, we’ve got another 13 or so kids exposed to a more professional and elite level of training and competition. “Those kids will then go back to local clubs and help lift the overall standard so it’s not just about helping to develop NRL players.’’ Both the Harold Matthews and SG Ball competitions kick-off on February 21 and conclude with grand finals on May 16. The Titans’ SG Ball squad will again be coached by Jamie O’Connor next season. Titans Inaugural Harold Matthews Squad 2009: Matt Beddow (Gold Coast), Zac Campbell (GC), Nick Crompton (Northern Rivers), Jim Dick (NR), James Dunley (GC), Jack Durheim (NR), Zac Friend (Sunshine Coast), James Greber (NR), Mitchell Hall (NR), Jacob Holland (NR), Sam Harrold (NR), Dan Kelly (GC), Ben Marui-James (GC), Corey Mc Grady (GC), Chris Moke (GC), Jacob Orr (NR), Justin Proud (GC), Nathanial Regueira (NR), Tom Rowles (NR), Jake Sands (NR), Praneil Sewak (GC), Kael Smith (GC), Tom Sunderland (NR), Brendon Tago (South East QLD), Connor Toia (GC), Kyle Vanleeowen (NR), Andrew Vella (Ipswich). |
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| Thursday 27 th November 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BLACK with bruises and unrecognisable, this 17-year-old was bashed and robbed at a teenager's birthday party. Police have released the shocking image today in the hope it leads to the boy's attackers being caught. His injuries were so bad he had to go to hospital for severe concussion, lacerations, abrasions and dental injuries. The teenager was attacked on Saturday, October 25, at a joint 16th birthday party for two girls at Nanette Place, Castle Hill.
Anyone with any information can contact Castle Hill Police Station on 9680 5344 or CRIME STOPPERS on 1800 333 000. " find 'em boys, & tell da cops, no sin bin for these cowards " |
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NSW Combined Independent Schools Rugby League has a proud tradition of competing at the 15 Years and 18 Years ASSRL Australian Schoolboys Championships. Previously competing with great success in Pool B against Vic, SA, WA, NT we entered Pool A in 2007 and have competed strongly against the power house teams from NSWCHS, NSWCCC, Qld, ACT and Combined Affiliated States. The NSWCIS teams are made up of boys from a wide range of independent schools and in recent years there has been a large number of boys from country schools across the entire breadth of NSW competing in the NSWCIS teams. In 2008 our geographic spread included team members from the Riverina, Coffs Harbour, Tweed Heads, Shellharbour, Bathurst, Hunter Valley and many from Sydney region. School associations that are eligible to send their boys via the NSWCIS pathway are GPS, CAS, ISA, HICES, RAS, CSSA, NCSA and AICE. These schools include those with the cream of schoolboy rugby union players in their ranks, however many independent schools are also producing talented rugby league players that represent in Harold Matthews Cup, SG Ball Cup, Toyota Cup and CRL Representatve Teams. Currently one of our ex-players from 2005/2006, Tim Mannah, is in the top 25 player list at Parramatta. Tim's brother Johnny from 2006/2007, is currently playing at Cronulla, while Ryan Stigg 2006/2007 and Joel Brown 2006/2007 have just finished successful U/20 seasons with the Knights.. | LEARN MORE Go To NSWCIS | |
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 Castleford Tigers completed the signing at the weekend of the highly promising young stand off Adam Fairhead-Kay. The 18-year-old is set to play for the clubs under-21s next season under new coach Chris Chester and is tipped to have a big future in the game. Adam is a product of the successful Milford amateur club in Leeds and a former BARLA U18 international having toured Australia earlier this year. He has also played open age for the Milford club. The Tigers Head of Youth Development Steve Gill said: “We believe Adam is a key signing for the club and a quality stand off who we believe can only get better under the coaching of Chris and his team. He attracted attention of a number of Super League clubs and we are delighted that he has opted to join us at the Tigers.” |
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 Four Moree teenagers have been selected in an academy that has a proven record of developing future National Rugby League (NRL) players. Colin Bird, Jason Hobday, Robert Kennedy and Cameron Rodgers were among 40 rugby league players from across the North West that were selected for the academy. The four players are the first from Moree that have been selected for the academy. Rodgers is from Moree although he plays his rugby league for Tamworth’s Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School. From last year’s squad, eight players represented the New South Wales Country side and around six have progressed to playing for a NRL club in the Toyota Cup under 20s competition.
The Wests Greater Northern Academy selected 27 new players for this year’s camps, who joined 13 returning players to fill the 40 places. Trials for the academy were held on October 11 and more than 70 players applied to fill one of the 27 vacant positions. The Country Rugby League hosts six rugby league academies in country New South Wales each year and the Northern Academy will be based at Scully Park in Tamworth. The players are all aged 16 and 17-years-old, who will be playing in under 18s competitions in 2009. The induction component included advice for the attending parents and players on contractual obligations. The induction and fitness weekend was the first of this year’s academy and was held on the weekend of November 1 and 2. The fitness-testing component involved an array of tests, which measured agility, core strength, endurance and stamina. The results were analysed and individual workout programs were tailored to each player, depending on the areas in which improvement was needed. On Saturday and Sunday, the players returned to have a weekend of ball work, which helped to increase their ball grip, vision and running lines. Potential hookers and halves also had the opportunity to play the ball from dummy half with expert tuition. At this stage, the tuition remains general, although it will become position specific later in the program. Brisbane Broncos recruitment and development officer Simon Scanlon attended at the weekend and provided advice to the players. Later in the program, NRL forward Matt Parsons will attend and help improve the players’ tackling techniques and groundwork. The academy will run until late February when players will be sent back to their clubs to prepare for a new season and put their new skills to the test. |
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| Wednesday 26 th November 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kangaroos Captain and five-eighth Darren Lockyer has been named the Australian Rugby League’s 2008 Harry Sunderland Medal winner for Australia’s international player of the year. Lockyer secured the honour following the conclusion of the Rugby League World Cup, in which he led the Kangaroos to three impressive wins and was awarded man-of-the-match in the final. The 31-year-old now joins the Kangaroos’ elite as a Harry Sunderland Medal winner, with previous winners including Team of the Century members John Raper, Ron Coote and Wally Lewis. A former Australian team manager, league administrator and journalist, who was instrumental in coordinating the British Lions’ tours to Australia in 1928, 1932 and 1936, Sunderland is best known for his achievement of staging a 1933 exhibition match between Australia and England in Paris. The match led to the French becoming regular Kangaroo Tour opponents for years to come. The 2008 Harry Sunderland Medal was awarded by the Kangaroos team coaching staff and management. “Darren has made an incredible contribution to international Rugby League throughout his career,” ARL Chief Executive Geoff Carr said today. “Even so, the Harry Sunderland Medal is awarded to the best player of each year’s international campaign. “Darren’s World Cup performances showed us why he is still considered one of the very best players in the game today and he is a deserved winner of this year’s Medal.” |
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For the last three weeks over 120 local kids have been learning the skills of the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans’ junior recreational sport – TitanTag. This week, Jetstar Titans’ flyer Chris Walker headed down to Nerang Junior Rugby League Football Club to check out this cool new sport and to lend a hand coaching these budding stars. TitanTag allows boys and girls, aged from 5–12, to feel like a Jetstar Titan without the worry of injury through body contact. Similar to Oztag, TitanTag is eight–a–side played on a smaller field to Rugby League where players can pass, catch and kick. “The kids love it,’’ said Walker. “It’s great to see so many kids playing on their local junior footy fields learning all the skills. I wish we had it when I was growing up.’’ TitanTag will have an even larger presence in 2009, with school clinics, interschool sport and weeknight junior competitions. For further information, please contact Jodie on 0402913134 or e-mail goldcoasttitantag@hotmail.com |
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| Tuesday 25 th November 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Great Britian Community Lions have been preparing for the AIS for the past 12 months and on Saturday had a final training run before the team was selected. The GB Community Lions squad have been training pretty much full on for the past month. The Lions are a good side and are confident of defeating the visiting Australians despite a narrow 14 - 12 loss to the French Juniors 2 weeks ago. The Australians have just left France in their wake after smashing the French Juniors in their two tests which gave just about every player some game time including the Gold Coast Titans Jordan Rankin. Townsville's Catheral College Justin O'Niell is on fire scoring tries in both the French games. Great Britain Community Lions Manager Joe Elliott said: "We will be holding our final training session on Saturday and naming the team for the first Test after. "The AIS are sure to provide us with a very stern challenge but myself and the coaching staff have every confidence in the squad. It would be great to get as many people as possible to Tetley's Stadium as their support will really lift the lads." The Australians, mostly from regional New South Wales and Queensland where it is hot and dry, will be trying to stay warm and must be itching go get at the Lions on Thursday for the 1st Test. The first test against the Great Britain Community Lions kicks off at 7:30 (6:30 am Sydney time) at Tetley Stadium | RELATED STORY Jordan Rankin's school wins Arrive alive Cup | AIS TOUR | |
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| Monday 24 th November 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Look out the Poms, the Aussies are coming on one of the flights into England today. The Australian Institute of Sports Rugby League team only have a couple days to settle in to their new home before they take on Great Britian Community Lions U 18's at Tetleys Stadium for the first test. POMS LINING UP FOR A CRACKShaw Cross youngster Danny Naughton is dreaming of making his Great Britain debut this week. Danny, 18, is part of the Great Britain Community Lions Under 18s squad that takes on the Australian Institute of Sport in a two match test series. The first encounter between the sides takes place at The Tetley’s Stadium, on Thursday 27th November, kick off 7.30pm. “It’d be great to make my debut for Great Britain, and it’d be extra special as the games in Dewsbury,” said the Shaw Cross stand off. “We’ve been training as a squad for the last month and there’s some very good players involved so I’m hoping I get the call.”.. LEARN MORE HERE |
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Footy News Achives | NOVEMBER '08 | OCTOBER '08 | | SEPTEMBER '08 | AUGUST 2008 | FOOTY NEWS ARCHIVES HERE |
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HAPPY NEW YEAR |
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 ATTENTION RUGBY LEAGUE FANS! The first ever fiction rugby league books just for young kids, are NOW available....  Switch young kids into reading and order these action packed, high interest reading books |
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WANT TO GET OURFOOTY NEWS Well then JOIN HERE |
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SYDNEY ROOSTERS 2009 JUNIOR TRIALS PROGRAMME
DATE: Saturday 13 September 2008 (Under 16)TIME: Register by 9.00am Trials commence 9.30am VENUE: Matraville Sports High School – Anzac Parade, Chifley |
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SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS TRIALS
U16 H. MATTHEWS CUP & U18 S G BALL 2008 TRIALS All 2007 local South Sydney Junior League players are invited to attend the trials saturday 15th September at Mascot Oval. |
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CANBERRA RAIDERS DISTRICT REP'S '09 TRIALS NOMINATION FORM Please indicate the trial you will be attending by ticking the corresponding box below Under 16s - Friday 19 September assemble at 5:00pm to trial at 5:30pm Under 18s - Tuesday 23 September assemble at 6:00pm to trial at 6:30pm Under 16s - Saturday 27 September assemble at 8:30am to trial at 9:00am Under 18s - Saturday 27 September assemble at 9:30am to trial at 10:30am Under 20s/Opens - Saturday 27 September assemble at 11:00am to trial at 12:00pm Players selected from the local trial, may be required to trial again on Saturday 27 September. Players participating in the CRJRL Senior Grand Finals will not be required to trial. Please note a “NO REGISTRATION, NO TRIAL POLICY” will apply. |
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| MATTYS CUP & SG BALL SQUAD LISTS Balmain Cronulla |
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QUEENSLAND SCOREBOARD |
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QUEENSLAND WIZARD CUP *QUEENSLAND STATEWIDE WRAP Round 18. |
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ARL DEVELOPMENT SHIELD *CENTRAL DIVISION *NORTHERN DIVISION |
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NSW SCOREBOARD |
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 CHEERLEADER of the WEEK |
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SEND YR MESSAGE HERE 
2007 COWBOYS CHALLENGE 
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ELITE SYDNEY CHS COMPS
SYDNEY 
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Bulldogs win Harold 2007 Matthews Cup Grand Final | NATIONAL SCOREBOARD | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CHS VS FRENCH JUNIORS NSW CHS 12 - 24 FRANCE |
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 CONTACT US |
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 CONGRATULATION TO ABC LANDLINE Well done on your 1,000 th Landline TV program |
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 AUSSIES TOO GOOD FOR FRENCH JUNIORS The Australian Schoolboys defeated the French Juniors 48 - 6 at Kougari Oval today |
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 ARRIVE aLIVE CUP
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LaTeST ReSuLTS
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SPORT IS ABOUT THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE, NOT THOSE WHO WISH TO ORGANISE GAMES |
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 QRL WIZARD CUP RESULTS |
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 SORRY! |
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 HEY KIDS - DO U WANT TO ASK YOUR FAVOURITE NRL RISING STAR A QUESTION? YEAH ! Well send your question to us & we'll ask him 4 you send us an email |
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ITZ ON -' 08 gr8 m8 |
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NSWRL DISTRICT REP'S |
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| ROUND 9 NSWRL DISTRICT JUNIORS |
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NSW JUNIOR LEAGUES |
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 CRONULLA JUNIORS |
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QUEENSLAND SCOREBOARD |
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 JUNIOR PLAYER INTERVIEWS |
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JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE ROCKS |
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MULTI - MEDIA Video's & NRL Club Songs |
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FOOTY VIDEO'S ASSRL VS FRENCH JUNIORS '06 BARLA VS FRENCH JUNIORS '07 Cronulla Juniors 2007 season UNI - ST. MARY'S - BUCKLEY SHIELD |
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| NATIONAL UNDER 12's CARNIVAL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 AIS '07 TOUR |
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 NSW YOUNG ACHIVERS '07 TOUR |
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| QRL JUNIOR STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY FIVE |
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QUEENSLAND WIZARD CUP *QUEENSLAND STATEWIDE WRAP August 6th '07. |
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ARL DEVELOPMENT SHIELD *CENTRAL DIVISION *NORTHERN DIVISION |
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NSW SCOREBOARD |
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COCA COLA CHALLENGE (U13) |
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UNI STUDENTS RUGBY LEAGUE '07 UK TOUR Photo Gallery |
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 CHEERLEADER of the WEEK |
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 AUSSIE STUDENTS TOUR OF UK A SUCCESS The Australian University Rugby League team has just had a great tour of the UK and flogged the Pommie Army team on Sunday |
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COMMUNITY SCOREBOARD |
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 RIP JACK GIBSON Super coach of the Century |
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GORDON TALLIS 
2008 DRAW 
BRISBANE 
ARRIVE 
COWBOYS 
ASSRL 2007 
2007 COWBOYS CHALLENGE 
SYDNEY 
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SPORT IS ABOUT THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE, NOT THOSE WHO WISH TO ORGANISE GAMES |
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ITZ ON -' 08 gr8 m8 |
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