Bunnies field five sides

With the three trial games completed, Umina Beach Rugby League Football Club will field five sides in this year's competition including an Under 17s and 19s division as well as first, reserve and open grades.

Club president Mr Matthew Harvey said the Bunnies' trial form was "impressive" considering the team is still bonding with some eight players from last year's Under-20s playing at some stage in the first grade trials.

"We ran out convincing winners in first grade against Muswellbrook and Toukley while Denman with all their new signings available was a torrid affair and only a try separated us at full time," Mr Harvey said.

"In our latest trial, new signing Jason Allwood led the way against Toukley while Reece Padget scored five tries in an impressive debut at half back.

"Marc 'Dodge' Matthews certainly has the boys fit and whatever they do now they will improve on as the season gets into gear."

Mr Harvey will coach the reserve grade side which he said was "young and fit" while the first grade team was up for big things with several young players coming through.

"Opens are coached by Umina stalwart Shannon Sharpe and they had their first hit out recently, and with quite a few players still to come into the side, it's great to see we can cater for our guys who still want a run but are unable for one reason or another to fully commit to grade football," Mr Harvey said.

"Our Under-19s coached by junior development officer Frank 'Junior' Johnson and our Under-17s coached by former Bunnies player Paul Hickey both are looking good and barring injury should be semi final bound as there really is some talented youths coming through our club with Zane Ricket and Jake Harvey being selected for the Central Coast Under-18s rep side.

"Talented players Bennett Leslie and Brayden Williame have made their debuts with the Melbourne Storm.

"Both were Umina Bunnies in 2009 and Bennett has been with the club since Under-8s."

Mr Harvey said a highlight for the club in this year's season would include its major charity day in support of breast cancer research.

He said all first grade players would take to the field in pink jumpers for the special event.

"We hope to raise quite a few thousand dollars from the sale of the jumpers for this extremely worthy cause and it will have considerable media exposure to maximise our fund raising opportunities for the charity," Mr Harvey said.

"This year Umina Beach will also circulate a basic resuscitation chart with our sponsors details attached."

For more information, visit www.2257bunnies.com.au

Press release, 29 Mar 2010 Matthew Harvey, Umina Beach Rugby League Football Club