Country titles on South Coast

DAVID HALL

The cream of up-and-coming Rugby League talent in the Country Rugby League will be on show at the Croom Rd Sports Complex next weekend when the Southern Zone Conference of the Under 15 and 16 Country Championships is held.

Eighteen teams from nine groups will converge on the area, with more than 1000 players, coaching staff and supporters booking out accommodation in the Shellharbour and Kiama areas for the weekend.

One of the highlights will be the unveiling of the brand new Albion Park-Oak Flats Centenary Field clubhouse, which will be used for the first time after more than two years hard work from project manager Darryl Dare and his dedicated group of workers.

Teams from South Coast Group 7, Illawarra and Groups 6, 9, 10, 11, 14, 16 and 20 will compete in tiers, based on registration numbers in their Groups.

South Coast Group 7 junior league president Neil Redfern was delighted with the decision to hold the championships in the local group after several years of waiting for a suitable venue to be available.

“The Championships have been held at Cootamundra for two years and Dubbo the last two years and now that we have a venue like Centenary Field and their magnificent clubhouse and facilities we are hopeful that we will be able to retain the championships past this year,” Mr Redfern said.

“The success of the Centenary Celebrations in Nowra earlier this year was the final key to gaining the championships,” he added.

CRL Under 16 selectors, including Rocky De Salvatore will be in attendance to select the squad for the final trial for the Country Under 16 team. The selection panel includes South Coast Juniors life member Wayne “Pee Wee” Bennett from Gerringong.

A major change to ground arrangements will be that there will be spectator only entry into Centenary Field.

Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles secretary Leeanne Pemberton said that the championships were a great boost to both the Eagles senior and junior clubs.

“This is a great opportunity not only as a fundraising venture, but also to showcase our new clubhouse to everyone in the CRL,” Mrs Pemberton said.

Two grounds will be in action from 10am on Saturday and 9am on Sunday.