Junior rugby union thriving in Blue Boar country

Junior rugby union in Narrabri is thriving in 2020 and an even bigger and better year is on the cards for 2021.

The Narrabri Junior Rugby Club is currently fielding two teams in the under-8s and the under-10s, while the future stars in the under-6s continue to develop and the under-12s, 14s (girls and boys) and 16s (girls and boys) have also attracted positive player numbers.

While getting on the park was the main goal in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, all age groups have shown plenty of promise on the field as the future of Narrabri rugby union gets brighter and brighter.

Last Friday night the club’s under-16s team scored a 19-10 home ground win against Pirates, while the under-14s and under-16s girls were also victorious away from home.

The two girls’ teams travelled to Tamworth where the 14s played four games and the 16s played three matches.

The 14s went down 22-17 in a close contest against Calrossy before defeating TAS 29-0.

The side lost its other two games 42-5 against Scone and 67-7 against Pirates.

The 16s girls won all three of their games, defeating Calrossy 12-5, Scone 28-0 and TAS 50-10.

The under-14s boys went down 29-19 against Pirates just two days after defeating Moree 42-31 in a Wednesday night clash.

Narrabri Rugby Club president Mick Coffey said that while positive on-field results were always desired, he was just pleased that junior rugby in Narrabri was thriving, and that rugby in the zone was being played.

“This season has been really good so far,” Coffey said.

“The signs are there that everyone has come back from the COVID break keen and pumped.

“We’ve got extra players off the fact other sports for both boys and girls haven’t got up and running.

“Looking at our teams on paper and where they’ll end up next year we’ll have an 18s girls’ team and an 18s boys’ as well which will give us teams in all age groups from under-6s right through to first grade.

“That will be a huge achievement for the club and it will provide a smoother transition for our juniors into the seniors for under-20s and beyond.”

Coffey also said that the junior carnivals were running smoothly in 2020, made possible by everyone adhering to COVID guidelines.

There have been five carnivals held this season and there are now just three more remaining, including Barraba’s carnival this Sunday at which Narrabri’s teams will compete.