RUGBY UNION
With the start of Central Coast rugby season less than two months away, the 10 teams in the competition – Avoca Beach, Gosford, Kariong, Terrigal, Hornsby, The Bay, The Lakes, Ourimbah, Warnervale and Woy Woy – are well into preparation mode.
A spokesperson for Central Coast Rugby Union (CCRU) said all clubs in the Zone had been putting things into place for the 2022 season, after a disappointing end to last season, with games cancelled due to COVID-19 lockdowns.
“Everybody is hoping that things can start well for the coming season,” the spokesperson said.
“The last two years have been most dramatic during these very unusual times.
“The fact that last season was cancelled midway through the year still leaves a most disappointing feeling in the minds of all rugby players, supporters and administrators on the Central Coast.”
CCRU has a new President in Tod Wills, who has been involved with various clubs in the region, is a past Zone coach and has been a member of the CCRU Board for several years.
He will be assisted in the Executive by Vice-Presidents Kate Thomson and Owen Clark.
The season will commence on Saturday, April 2, and will continue through to the Grand Final on September 17.
In the first match of the draw, Kariong plays Terrigal at Kariong Oval, Avoca butts heads with The Bay at Joseph Banks Oval, Gosford meets The Lakes at Showground Rugby Field, Ourimbah meets Woy Woy at Woy Woy Oval and Warnervale takes on Hornsby at Woongarrah Oval.
Things are also being put in place for the representative season.
“The NSW Country Championships will be held once again in Tamworth over the June long weekend, with three Coast teams set to compete – Senior 1st XV, the Under 19s and the Women’s XV.
The coaches for these teams are: Seniors – Craig McWilliam, Murray Cox and Hoani Rimene, with Kyle Lanzini as Manager; Colts – Nick Meyer, Justin Staben, Scott Hanley and Josh Harrod with Michael Middleton as Manager; and Women – Mick Burgess and Jacob Tumanako, with Pam Proctor as Manager.
Meanwhile, The Lakes Rugby Club will once again host the 7-a-side tournament at Slade Park on Saturday, February 19.
The event has been going for many years and sees most local teams in action for the first time in the year.
The event is for both men’s and women’s 7-a-side teams.
Source:
Media release, Feb 5
Larry Thomson, Central Coast Rugby Union