Umina plays first senior match

The Umina Rugby League Football Club will play its inaugural senior match on February 21 at Kariong against West Newcastle.

Media officer Mr Kevin Hulls said that it would be the launch of a big season for Umina which had just finished reinventing itself over the summer break.

"We have been overwhelmed with the support from the players and community alike," he said.

"All of our grades have had a strong showing at our Tuesday and Thursday training sessions with some 22 first graders attending both days.

"Premiership-winning coach Gordon Mason is delighted with the commitment of the senior boys at training.

"The weather has not been kind for these young blokes but they turn up every Tuesday and Thursday, on time and ready to train.

"The calibre of players is as good as I have seen at Umina in many years," he said.

"Ako will be there all year to rub the players before the games and lend a hand as he has done for as long as anyone can remember," Kevin said.

Assistant coach Nathan Johnson said the mix of experienced and young training staff will ensure a balanced approach to coaching.

"Even our physiotherapist has been to every training run to make sure everything is 100 per cent with the boys," he said.

Senior committee secretary and junior coach Rob Ryan said that he was delighted with the new strip that the boys will wear this year.

For the first time, the under-6s will wear the same jumpers as the "A" graders.

"The new strip marks a new era for the whole football club."

He said the jumpers were not the traditional jumpers and it was decided that a new and modern look would be appropriate for the inaugural year of a combined Umina Football Club.

President Terry O'Sullivan said: "We certainly have put the ground work in to ensure that our juniors have a pathway to senior football for Umina for a long time to come.

"Our philosophy is simple every thing is done for the long term benefit of our local football community.

"A fresh and professional approach to all aspects of the football side is the key and a balance of youth and experience on the committee and coaching staff will ensure this will continue."

Umina trains from 6.30 to 8pm Tuesdays and Thursdays at Umina Oval, Melbourne Ave, Umina Beach for Under 16s, 17s, 19s and "A" grade.

Email, January 21