YOUNG rugby aspirants had a rare chance to run around with a Waratah yesterday.
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Waratahs prop and Tamworth product Paddy Ryan was the special guest at the Tamworth Tri-Colours Come and Try Day.
It was the second the club have run as they prepare for the season and drew a good roll-up of youngsters.
“I always look forward to coming back to the Tri Colours to do this stuff,” Ryan said.
“It’s got a good feel about it.”
The idea of Come and Try Days is to get new people into the sport, and Ryan recalled enjoying a similar experience to what the kids were back in his junior days.
“I can remember Matt Dunning coming to training with Tom Bowman when I was here (in Tamworth),” he said.
He said growing up he just loved being outside.
“I liked playing footy and touch. That’s what I used to hang out for,” he said.
“The good thing about being from the country is there’s lot of space to run around in.”
Currently on the first of their bye weeks, the Waratahs have made a mixed start to the season.
“The first game was good (beating the Reds), we were pretty happy with the result there,” Ryan said.
“We were disappointed about last week. It’s never good losing to the Brumbies.”
It did however highlight a few areas they’ve got some work to do.
One of the things the review of the game showed was that their set pieces let them down a bit.
But it’s nothing that practice and a bit more working together as an eight can’t fix.
Next week they’ll host defending champions the Highlanders and have the Reds again and Rebels before another bye.
Tri Colours secretary Leonie Phillips said the Come and Try Days had been fantastic.
“They’ve been really good,” she said.
“Having Paddy come down has been great.”
He seemed to enjoy it as much as the kids.
This year, will see the first time, all registrations being completed online.
Phillips said they’ve so far had 23 players register.
“I’m hoping as the term comes to an end and people start to think of winter sports more will register,” she said.
Training will commence next Thursday for the U8s and up from 4.30pm at Tamworth Rugby Park.
The U8s and U10s run through to 5.30pm and the U12s and U14s through to 6pm.
The cost for the season is $25 for U6s, $75 for U8s to U14s for the first child, $55 the second and $46 for subsequent children.
Details for registering can be found on the Tri Colours Facebook page, or you can email the club at tamworthtricolours@gmail.com
Walcha will host the first carnival for the season on May 1.
