THE future stars of Central West Rugby Union put their skills to the test at Ashwood Park on Sunday at the Bathurst Junior Rugby Club’s annual gala day.
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The day saw players from the under 7 through to under 11 age groups in action in 30 minute games on a day where enjoyment took precedence.
Bathurst Junior Rugby Club secretary Mike Curtin was delighted with how the event was unfolded.
“We had about 63 games of rugby, with the school holidays coming up the numbers were a little bit down, but we ended up with 450 players and that was about 36 teams,” Curtin said.
“So we had lots of kids and lots of kids having fun, which is the main thing.
“We were really blessed with the weather, it was a beautiful morning and that makes a huge difference. It was a cold start, but it warmed up quickly and the kids had a lot of fun.
“It’s always non-competitive, under 11 and down in rugby union is non-competitive and we don’t keep score. It’s about the kids getting involved, having fun and enjoying themselves.”
As well as being non-competitive modified rules – such altering the field size, limiting player contact and adjusted scrums and line-outs – added to the enjoyment.
The youngest teams in the under 7s played what Curtin said was “essentially touch rugby”, while the under 11s got the chance to try basic scrums and line-outs.
“It’s just a nice atmosphere, I think non-competitiveness means the kids are comfortable in their own skin and learn to develop their skills without feeling the pressure of having to win,” Curtin said.
“The kids who are under six don’t have to go out there and worry about being tackled.”
Though this year’s event involved teams from the Central West region, Curtin said there was a chance the Bathurst club would look to involve the likes of Lane Cove and Chatswood in the future.
He sees gala days such as the one Bathurst hosted as a way to get children involved in the sport at a young age and help see the code remain strong at a senior level.
“Yes, hopefully we will see some of those kids in Doggies colours in the future or Country Eagles with the National Rugby Championship or hopefully we had some kids who will go on to be Waratahs or Wallabies in there,” he said.
“Things are going really good for the club. We’ve got good numbers and people who want to be involved.
“We’ve got a very strong under 13s side which has only one game so far this year, so we’re doing pretty well, we are pretty fortunate. I think that’s underpinned by the fact we’ve got All Saints’, Scots and Stannies here which are rugby schools.”