Junior league teams take part in ‘Play NRL’ round

Canberra junior rugby league teams were among those who took the field at NRL games over the weekend as part of the ‘Play NRL’ round.

The round was held in an effort by the NRL to recognise the contribution junior league teams make in developing NRL players, as well as to encourage new players to try the sport.

Four under 8’s teams which included Woden Weston, Gungahlin, Goulburn and Tuggeranong Valley all participated in matches in front of thousands of fans prior to the Raiders vs Dragons matchup at GIO Stadium.

The young players at one point shared the field with their footballer heroes as the Raiders took the field to warm up alongside the matches taking place.

Some outstanding play took place, inspiring cheers from the crowd which continued to build as the NRL fixture drew closer.

Following the completion of their games, they had the chance to be part of a guard of honor for the NRL players.

Parents of the players agreed the experience was a “great initiative by the NRL” and a “fantastic way to encourage more kids to come and play”.

Lauren from Kambah, whose son Logan represented Woden Weston in the games, said her son was “ecstatic to play in front of all these people and on the same field as the Raiders…I’m sure there will be kids here watching who will look at this and decide they want to play. I think it is a great way to get more kids interested in playing”.

Logan cited the best part of the experience as being “getting ‘to high-five’ Jarrod Croker” as he ran onto the field.

In addition to the matches, representatives from a range of age groups from every Canberra junior rugby league club took part in a relay at half-time of the NRL fixture, which was won by South Tuggeranong.

As winners of the relay, South Tuggeranong was awarded five hundred dollars to put towards improving their club.

Text and images by Mitchell Smith.