The many young people and their parents who were in attendance for the season launch.
The Deniliquin Drovers Rugby Union Club continue to create opportunities for young people to learn about the game of rugby union, fostering a love and passion for the game.
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Last Saturday, March 29 the Deniliquin Drovers hosted about 30 children at the Deniliquin Stadium for their junior rugby season launch.
Players from Deniliquin, Barham and Hay - who all play club rugby for the Hay Cutters - all gathered for a season launch, drills and a meet and greet with former Australian Wallaby James Holbeck.
With the Drovers celebrating their 40th year as a club, having a strong junior base will be vital to the return of the code in Deniliquin in an even greater capacity.
Club president Pete Gow said the junior launch did spark some conversations about a new-look and more local senior competition, with the Southern Inland Rugby Union competition not always suitable for Deni district players because of the distances covered.
“We have spoken to Mildura, Swan Hill and Tongala, and they have brought up the possibility of starting a competition for clubs and towns along the Murray River,” Gow said.
Gow said those conversations would continue.
At the junior launch, Holbeck was generous with his time.
A student at the Armidale School and Sydney Boys High, Holbeck played 1st XV rugby at school and eventually went on to make a number of other representative sides.
He made himself known to Australian selectors while playing club rugby for Randwick and eventually provincial rugby for the ACT Brumbies.
Holbeck went on to play seven tests for the Wallabies, unfortunately, his career was cut short due to injury.
The event was capped off with a barbecue following drills and skills training at the Deniliquin Sports & Entertainment Stadium.
“The junior season launch was great, and having a professional there was wonderful,” Gow said.
“And Tim Strong’s commitment to the club and the game of rugby locally must be applauded.
“He organised Jim Holbeck to come along, and that was great for the kids.”
The club continues to meet every Thursday at 6.30pm for a game of touch rugby.
Attendance and participation numbers continue to grow each week, with 20 attending last week.
Deni Drovers anniversary and reunion celebrations are being planned for Saturday, June 7.
More details about the event will be released soon.
Jim Holbeck addresses some of the kids in attendance.
The kids getting stuck into some of the drills set up for them.
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