NORTH West might be rebuilding but on the strength of yesterday’s trial in Tamworth the zone side should again be challenging for the State CHS Championship honours later in the year.
Last year North West made it all the way to the final, just going down to Far North Coast.
This year’s championships will be held at Coffs Harbour from May 24-26 and on yesterday’s indications the North West should field a strong side.
“North West has had a pretty good record the last few years.
“I see no reason this side will be any different,” coach Ben Bryan said.
The trial attracted students from Inverell, Narrabri, Barraba, Tamworth and Walcha.
They did some skills in the morning and then played a series of games.
“It was a pretty even contest for selection,” North West ARU development manager Stephen O’Brien said.
There are a number of new faces in the squad with a lot of last year’s side finishing their schooling.
Farrer students again figure prominently with 10 making the squad.
Another notable selection is Year 10 student Micah Scarf at half-back.
“He impressed big time,” Bryan said.
He’ll feed what looks to be a pretty sharp backline.
“We’ve got a particularly strong backline,” Bryan said.
“Three of the boys are coming back from last year.”
Now they’ve got the side the next step is to get some structures in place and Bryan said they are looking at having a couple of training runs.
o Wallabies assistant coach Nick Scrivener will be in Tamworth on Monday to deliver a session for development of coaches of the North West area.
The Senior Coaches Development series is open to all club and school coaches (players are welcome too) and will be held at Tamworth Rugby Park from 5.30-8pm and is free of charge.
To register follow the link: http://myrugby.rugby.com.
au/myrugby/courses_ list state.asp?
state=NSW
If you are struggling with the online registration email O’Brien.