THE Kiama Junior Rugby Union Club will be the first to admit they've put in a lot of hard work - both on and off the field- over the past few years.
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This dedication to growing the game of rugby union on the South Coast has seen Kiama's numbers continue to gradually increase over the past five years.
"We believe in a strong foundation builds a strong club," Kiama JRUC committee member David Brown said.
"We have great coaching staff here to helps teach the players the skills they need to succeed both locally but also at a higher level.
"None of this can be done with out the volunteers and families, who help out and bring the kids to training and tournaments."
It's this commitment to the improvement that has seen a record 59 different Kiama players selected in their respective Illawarriors squad for 2019.
Those numbers start under 10s nonet Lachlan Church, Tynan Caswell, Asher Chapman, Rylan Coelho, Brodie Green, Tyler Lewis, Tobie Sanders, Harrison and David Waterson.
The under 11s have the largest contingent (12), including Will Brown, max Fifa, Tomaroa Herft, Tamati Hughes, Ashton Jeffers, Troy Kallenbach, Aston Moran, Ronnie Murphy, Xavier Roffe, Mace Scholfield, Hunter Wiki-Sullivan and Noah Yates.
Kiama has five under 12s (Cade Chapman, Darcy Davis, Jackson Farland, Kai Wilson and Riley Caswell) selected for representative honours, while Harry Middleton, Byron Weston, Callum Hodgson, Joshua Boicheski, Campbell Dickson and Axie Harrison were all selected in the under 13s.
Nine players, including Angus McIlwaine, Tobias Crowe, Blaje Hasler, Marcus Hasler, Brad Curch, Jasper Scobie, Tyrell Taione, Paea Sione Li Teila Ahio and Blake Crehan, as well as four under 15s (Micah Gibson, Oliver McCrea, Jaxson Lavander and Patrick Thomas) were also recognised for their talents.
Rounding out the 59 players are Ryan Hodgson, Jack Crehan (both under 16s), Sofie McDonald, Arwen Patrick, Molly Mills, Hunter-Lee Patrick (all under 15 girls), Lilly Murdoch and Tahlia Collinge (both under 17 girls).
"Having a large group playing at a representative level tells us as a club we are on the right path to continued growth moving forward," Brown said.
"We want to see our kids to be successful and return to the club next year."
Brown credits both the innovative committee and experienced coaches as large reasons for this success.
"The success can't be put down to one thing - it is everyone from committee members to volunteers, mums and dads and even the kids," he said.
"Because without even one of those elements, there would be no club."
But Brown admits there is no plan for the club to rest on their laurels, as they have big plans for the future.
"Our plans for the future are to continue trying to build not only the club but also the competition as a whole to ensure the health of rugby in the Illawarra," he said.
If you would like to get involved in the Kiama club, please visit their Kiama Junior Rugby Facebook page.