Josh Saunders and Jono Dallas with the new Jamberoo Superoo jumpers. Picture: DAVID HALL
JAMBEROO Superoos will model a new centenary jumper for the upcoming South Coast Group 7 Rugby League season.
The jerseys will have the names of every player who has represented the club during the past 100 years printed on them.
The jumper is the brainchild of Superoos president John Good, who hopes the new design is as close as the club could get to their original jumpers, when they were known as the Shamrocks.
"We wanted to do something to make the jumpers unique in our 100th season," he said. "I noticed the Cronulla Sharks had put all their members' names on their jumpers, so I thought 'why not?'
"We have done a lot of research and come up with around 980 names and while there will probably be a few players who have missed out, we did our best."
The club will also be offering the one-off jumpers for sale through their website.
Meanwhile, new first grade coach Matt Coelho is looking forward to the challenge of lifting his side back into the semi-finals during the club's 100th season.
The club was formed in 1913 and played their inaugural season in the Illawarra competition after switching from rugby union. They made their debut in Group 7 in 1914, and with the South Coast competition celebrating its centenary this year, the race will be on as all teams battle to win the competition.
"I'm really looking forward to this season," Coelho said. "It's exciting for the league and for us and I would love nothing more than to win a premiership in the centenary season."
The rookie coach believes that although the club will miss a few members of last season's squad, including Willie McDonald (Leeton), Scott Drewe (relocated), Josh Cuthbert (Shellharbour) and Matt Rouen (Nowra-Bomaderry), they have covered those losses.
"We have Jarrod Schodde back from Shellharbour, Craig Paku returning from North Mackay, youngster Ben Barnard [back home after playing juniors with Kiama] and Josh Saunders [Moss Vale]," he said. "Tim Small only joined the club towards the end of 2012 and Robbie Noble is back after playing just a handful of games last season, so we are looking OK.
"I am confident our fitness and attitude will be better and that should make a difference to the side from last year that lost so many games after leading at half-time."
Jamberoo launches their season at The Loft on April 5, with a centenary ball on June 29.