Summer is now just a tick over two weeks old, which would typically mean that rugby union is a long way from most people’s minds.
However, that does not apply to the Narrabri Junior Rugby Club’s under-14s boys squad.
The junior Blue Boars side has been training on Tuesdays since the start of November under the eyes of coaches Steve Rees and Mick Coffey.
“There’s no touch football until next year, so in terms of something to do for a bit of fun and fitness that gets a footy in their hands, there was a want there from them to get together,” Coffey told The Courier.
“The boys were actually the ones who were keen. Reesy and I were a bit concerned we’d struggle for numbers, but we’re getting a decent roll up each week.
“The parents are pretty happy too, as it’s giving the lads an opportunity to blow a bit of steam off and have some fun.”
The 2022 season will see the junior Blue Boars field an experienced team in the North West Regional Youth Rugby Competition on Friday nights.
While the team did not finish in a position to play finals this year, there were still plenty of highlights in the dynamic and exciting competition that sees teams play home and away matches on a Friday night around the region.
“In 2021, we were a team of mostly 13-year-olds, a lot in their first year of rugby,” Coffey said.
“In 2022 those players will be a year older and experienced.
“There are three forwards – John Brodigan, Geoffrey Crean and Angus Caterer – who were phenomenal for the team by the end of the season.
“They’ve got plenty of go-forward in them and have a mile of ability.
“Out wide, we had Ryan Williams and Riley Kelly. They’re fit and fast and will cause plenty of headaches for teams.
“Angelo Afoa is an exciting prospect – he can turn a game in a single play with his attack, and he’ll get the crowd excited.
“Lawrence Milsom has improved a heap, and he’ll definitely be an asset with his versatility.
“Add to those blokes the experience offered from the likes of Cooper Shields, Charlie Byrne, Duek Davies, George Barton and Nick Coffey, and we have a team that knows its way around the park with plenty of points in it.”
Several players will also graduate from the under-12s to the under-14s in 2022, including James Roraduri and Gabe O’Connor, who Mick Coffey described as excellent players who won’t miss a beat coming up into a new age group.
Rees labelled the inclusiveness and tribalism that the competition creates among its supporters as a significant reason for its popularity.
“It’s not always an easy sell to jump in the car at the end of the working week and drive to say, Gunnedah, on a Friday night to play footy,” the co-coach said.
“But once parents do it once they’re hooked.
“You get to watch great footy, and they get right into it too.
“There’s plenty of cheering and supporting, and then on the way home, we pull up at Baan Baa pub for dinner with everyone in the team.
“Coff and I want to make sure that the off-field stuff is just as fun as the on-field, and that includes all the families being a part of our squad.
“We want everyone to feel part of it all.
“The Blue Boars do the family club thing really well.”
Rees and Coffey bring plenty to the coaching table, which will benefit the under-14s team in 2022.
Rees is a level one coach with experience coaching schoolboy teams for over a decade.
Coffey has coached in both the junior and senior clubs, is a level two coach, and is an accredited Scrum Strong coach graduate.
Both are also former players of the club.
“Reesy actually had a run in third grade this year, so the former title mightn’t be appropriate for him just yet,” Coffey said.
“I’m definitely former. Trotting around in golden oldies won’t cut the mustard to classify as a player, I don’t think.”
It is especially important to note Coffey’s aforementioned Scrum Strong accreditation.
Rugby is often mistakenly deemed too dangerous to play due to injuries in scrums, but parents minds can be put at ease by knowing their children are in good hands by having accredited coaches.
“Scrum Strong is the brainchild of Sam Needs, a former Waratah prop who has played professionally across the world in the front row,” Coffey said.
“He has developed multiple fully-endorsed coaching accreditations for forwards, specifically aimed at the scrum.
“He’s been to our club to do sessions before with seniors and juniors and had an immediate impact.
“I’ve done all his courses and am fully accredited, so I can’t stress enough, if you have reservations about your child playing rugby, or the scrum, get in touch, and I can talk you through it.
“Misinformation about scrummaging is pretty common, but just like tackling, if it’s done right, there are no dramas.
“We’re extremely fortunate to have some great scrum coaches at the Blue Boars. Fellas like Bob Ford and Dylan Duncan, for example.
Tookey (Duncan) is fantastic with his time and knowledge whenever he’s asked. He absolutely loves it. No one speaks prop better than Bobby. He’s a wizard when it comes to scrummaging.
“The scrum gets a pretty bad wrap, but it’s my favourite part of the game. I love them. It’s actually the tackle contest that has the most injuries in rugby.”
Ever the forward, Coffey couldn’t help a cheeky jibe at the backline.
“There’s no greater feeling on a rugby field than coming up from a dominant scrum where you’ve just won the battle and the ball,” Coffey said.
“I don’t care what the backs say. The scrum is where it’s at.”
Narrabri’s under-14s team will continue training every Tuesday from 5:30pm at Dangar Park right through the holidays, with newcomers welcome.
Rees was especially keen to ensure the message regarding those sessions was simple.
“It’s not compulsory for players. It’s just to have something fun to do with your mates,” he said.
“The bonus is it involves rugby. If you’re curious and are thinking about playing rugby come and have a look – the more, the merrier.
“We’re going to mix it up a bit and have some real fun activities at different times to keep it light over the holidays.”
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