Future looking bright in Boggabri for rugby league

Before the Boggabri Kangaroos swept the Narrabri Blues in all three grades at Jubilee Oval in round three of the Group 4 Rugby League campaign on Saturday, a group of keen local junior players were put through their paces at the club’s junior training and sign on day.

The club’s first grade coach Shane Rampling and several players from the senior men’s squad led a group of 25 juniors aged from 5-12-years-old who are eager for the coming season to kick off.

They will all play in the green and gold for the first time as Boggabri is proudly entering its own teams in the Narrabri District Junior Rugby League competition that begins on Saturday, May 4.

The junior session on Saturday was focused around skill-based training and fun activities, including tackle bags, drawing and passing, rob the nest and the pass clap game.

Rampling, who has been a first grade coach every year except one for the past 18 years across Group 4 and England, is excited to have the juniors as a part of the club this year.

“It’s just massive for a little club like Boggabri. We haven’t had junior teams for a long time,” Rampling said.

Boggabri Kangaroos first grade captain Matt Gillham watches on as Harry Rodstrom, Riley Berding and Jack Miller enjoy a drill.

“It’s going to be so good to watch.

“The kids are all excited and they’re really keen to pull on the green and gold.

“You’re forever recruiting players to the senior grades, so hopefully some local kids get involved and enjoy it and learn some skills, then hopefully they continue going through all the grades and we see them playing first grade or ladies league tag.

“Even if they don’t continue playing, hopefully they stay involved with the club.

“We have a great rapport with the local community.”

Rampling also said he was proud of the senior players who helped out with the training day on Saturday.

Boggabri will have two teams in the under-5/6s, two in the under-7/8s, one in the under-9/10s and one in the under-11/12s this season who will take on Narrabri Shire neighbours Narrabri and Wee Waa in the NDJRL competition.