Narrabri Junior Rugby Club hosts presentation and AGM

On Sunday, September 15, the Narrabri Junior Rugby Club held its annual general meeting and presentation day at its headquarters, Dangar Park.

The day began with the annual general meeting where all positions were declared vacant after the relevant reports and formalities were done.

Quite quickly all positions were filled unopposed with willing members.

The executive committee for 2020 will be the same as in 2019, consisting of Mick Coffey (president), Jon Welsh (vice-president and carnival coordinator), Brighid Campbell (secretary and registrar) and Alison Paas (treasurer).

Other people taking on a role in 2020 are Christina Watkins (publicity officer and social media), Erin Barton (canteen and catering) and Ron Campbell (sponsorship).

General committee members will be Craig Ferris, Anne Bennett and Chris Watkins.

Returning president Mick Coffey was delighted with the outcome of the meeting.

“Once again we have a keen, hardworking group of people on the committee, and our coaches are also well credentialled and passionate rugby people so things are looking positive immediately for season 2020,” Coffey said.

“While still needing coaches for the under-6s and also under-18s, all other age groups have two coaches, with some having the luxury of three and four helping out.

“We are extremely fortunate to have so many people willing to coach, plus there’s a small army of parents who are always willing to help out at training.

“We’ll even have two of our older players, Will Ford and Don Watkins, helping to coach the under-8s, with the guidance of Matt O’Connor and Michael Read.”

Coaches in 2020 will be as follows:

Under-8 – Matt O’Connor, Michael Read, Will Ford, Don Watkins.

Under-10 – Bob Ford, Andrew Barrett.

Under-12 – Jon Welsh, Mark Fielder and Richard Miller.

Under-14 – Chris Fowler and Clayton Pursche.

Under-16 – Ken Campbell and Chris Watkins.

Narrabri Junior Rugby Club 2020 club captains Luke Shields and Lachlan Ford. Narrabri Junior Rugby Club 2020 club captains Luke Shields and Lachlan Ford.

Senior club encouragement award winner Tyler Cowell, middle, with senior Blue Boars players Daniel Kahl and James Albert. Senior club encouragement award winner Tyler Cowell, middle, with senior Blue Boars players Daniel Kahl and James Albert.

Under-6 - Lyla Watkins, Tom Eather, Joe Campbell, Zeb Carolan, Mac Winston-Smith, Albert Cameron. Absent - Lucy Booby. Under-6 - Lyla Watkins, Tom Eather, Joe Campbell, Zeb Carolan, Mac Winston-Smith, Albert Cameron. Absent - Lucy Booby.

Under-8 - Emily Simpson, Pat Welsh, Jonty O'Connor, Angus Read and Eddie Lowick. Under-8 - Emily Simpson, Pat Welsh, Jonty O'Connor, Angus Read and Eddie Lowick.

Under-10 - Max Vogel, Will Smith, Lachlan Coffey, Jack Lowick, Nicolas Ford, Baxter Dalton and Neil Kennedy. Under-10 - Max Vogel, Will Smith, Lachlan Coffey, Jack Lowick, Nicolas Ford, Baxter Dalton and Neil Kennedy.

Under-12 - Emilio Almagro, Bailey Cory, Blake Fielder, Nicholas Coffey, Zoe Watkins and Sam Elms. Under-12 - Emilio Almagro, Bailey Cory, Blake Fielder, Nicholas Coffey, Zoe Watkins and Sam Elms.

Under-14 - Brock and Zack Mallows, Colby Davies and Will Ford. Under-14 - Brock and Zack Mallows, Colby Davies and Will Ford.

Under-16 - Tyler Cowell, Clayton Pursche (coach) and Jack Wheeler. Under-16 - Tyler Cowell, Clayton Pursche (coach) and Jack Wheeler.

Lachlan Ford and Luke Shields were elected club captains for 2020.

“Our club captains in 2019, Charlie Houguet and Alistair Wheeler, have been fantastic,” Coffey said.

“They helped out at training when they weren’t playing, did a great job at our carnival and have been fantastic, mature role models for the younger players.

“I’m completely confident that Lachlan and Luke will pick up where the other boys have left off and continue the strong leadership.”
Coffey was once again quick to sing the praises of the clubs highly valued and generous sponsors.

“Without sponsors we cannot operate the way we do,” he said.

“Even in these unprecedented tough times our sponsors have all contributed to ensure junior rugby remains affordable and fun for everyone.

“It’s been great to be able to briefly forget the troubles of the drought and just watch the kids playing footy and enjoying themselves each week.

“Sponsorship allows us to have the kids in new, professional looking gear on the paddock, have barbecues, use buses for the Friday night regional competition, the list goes on.”

The long-awaited trophy presentations followed the annual general meeting, with some players in each age group receiving trophies, but all players deserving of praise.

Once this was done and all the players had sung the club song on the field, lunch was served.

The barbecue was manned by several senior Blue Boars players who were keen to help out and congratulate their younger counterparts, further highlighting the strong bonds between junior and senior clubs.

After lunch had settled, players took to the field for a game of touch that rapidly turned into tackle against the fathers.

It was a highly entertaining and close game that eventually was won by the players after the level of fitness and date of birth impacted heavily on the dads.

“It was a great day, a sensational way to end the season and hopefully we’ll see everyone back next year along with anyone else who’s interested in playing rugby union”, said Coffey who hopes to see registrations increase, just like they did in 2019, in season 2020.

“We’ll be into things in term one next year, in preparation for the season beginning in term two.

“Anyone interested is more than welcome to get in touch with us for more details”.