Junior rugby league development day

More than 120 children took part in the Woy Woy Junior Rugby League Football Club Player Development Day at Rogers Park earlier this month.

The five to 12 year olds attended Woy Woy Juniors' home ground for a huge day of rugby league skills clinics and fun, according to club secretary Mr Russell Downey.

"Our Player Development Day is a vital part of Woy Woy Juniors vision to encourage children to experience and learn the skills of rugby league," Mr Downey said.

"It was pleasing to see that over half of the children who attended were non-players or from other junior rugby league clubs.

"The weather was not really on our side, but the kids were all so engrossed in the activities and fun that I don't think they even noticed the showers that came and went."

Mr Downey said the skills clinics were coordinated by juniors coaching coordinator Mr Wayne Hayward, Mr Laurie Taylor of Australian Rugby League Development and Mr John Jewiss from Country Rugby League.

"Also in attendance to lend a hand was Woy Woy RLFC senior players Jason Hayward, DJ Markham and Blake Harrington," Mr Downey said.

"We had fantastic support from our own junior players from the Under-16s in Reece Moore, club captain James Affleck, Hayden Radford, Jason Cairncross, Tom Hodgson and Tim Wilson, Under-15s players Jason Uptin, Curtis Shields and Andy Jackson and Under-14s Aaron Redhead.

"Club coaches and trainers Matt Cree, Mick Martin, Dave Tebbutt, John Saley, Lyle Besley, Mick and Scott Markham and Paul Haime all give up their time to make our day a success."

With a total of six stations offering skills varying from safe tackling, agility and hit and spin, participants were kept busy for well over one-and-a-half hours moving from station to station to ensure they all had an experience at each skill.

After a drinks break, the players took part in activities such as oztag, kick tennis and goal kicking.

"The end of the day saw the players devouring sausage sandwiches and drinks and receiving a showbag which included an ARL football, drink bottle, stickers and treats."

Press release, 12 Jul 2010 Russell Downey, Woy Woy JRLFC