RUGBY league is thriving in the northern suburbs with seven local juniors chosen to represent the state next month.
Joondalup Giants 14-year-olds Ethan Boyce (Craigie), Luke Callan (Butler), Kyran Namana (Yanchep), Dominic Kaukasi (Ellenbrook) and Sailidontay Pomare-Tutaglevao (Bullsbrook) and 15-year-olds Reihana Collins (Merriwa) and Brandon Dargaville (Ridgewood) will head to Wollongong from June 23-30 for the Australian Secondary Schoolboys Rugby League National Championships.
Based in Heathridge, the Joondalup Giants have made up almost a third of the under-15s team of 25, having trialled with 100 players earlier this year.
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READ NOWJuniors vice-president Gregg Pearson said the strong contingent from the club demonstrated it was “helping to create great players”.
“Rugby league in WA has such a small following in comparison to AFL here and in comparison to league on the east coast,” he said. “We are a small community-driven team from the northern suburbs of WA able to produce athletes to compete at a national level.”
“It’s an amazing achievement by each one of them.”
He said the boys would be preparing with additional training in Fremantle for an hour-and-a-half every Monday evening.
“From this, the national team is selected to represent Australia in the Australian Schoolboys team,” he said.
“This is a foot in the door with the NRL with past Australian Schoolboys team members including Darius Boyd, Andrew Ettingshausen, Greg Inglis and Corey Parker.”
The club is hoping to help the boys with travel costs by applying for grants, running raffles and looking for corporate sponsors.
To help, email juniors.jgrlc@gmail.com.
- The Joondalup Giants will welcome South Sydney Rabbitohs players Jason Clark, ex-captain Roy Asotasi and English international George Burgess to a juniors training clinic today, May 18, from 5pm to 7pm.
PUSH FOR MORE JUNIORS
JOONDALUP Giants Rugby League Club is looking for more juniors to join the fold. Divisions for boys and girls run from under-six to under-16 with games structured to suit the different age groups.
Juniors vice president Gregg Pearson said while it was a full contact sport, there were strict safety policies in place.
“We train to tackle correctly and safely and we follow the National Rugby League Safe Play Policy,” he said.
“We not only match children up by age but also by size where necessary.
“We focus on creating a fun and friendly environment and it’s a great way to make friends outside of the classroom.
“With the way games are structured, it allows for all players on the field to have a run and play the ball.
Training is Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4.30pm at Admiral Park in Heathridge, with games on Sundays.
The club also offers a free trial for juniors who want to try before making a financial commitment.
For more information, email juniors.jgrlc@gmail.com.
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