WHILE the Greater Northern Tiger Under 16 and 18 sides prepare for second-round Country Championship matches against Central Coast in Scone this Saturday, a number of young players who could filter into those two sides will be gathering and enhancing their skills at this week’s annual Greater Northern Rugby League Development Camp.
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Held at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School, the camp kicked off yesterday with 66 players aged between 12 and 16 years.
Greater Northern regional manager Scott Bone said the 66 campers were from all over northern NSW and prepared for three days of fun “and the opportunity to further their skills in rugby league”.
“The players will concentrate on the core skills of the game, whilst also having some fun,” Bone said.
“The camp has seen many players over the past 11 years attend.
“Singleton’s Tom Baker is one such player who will play for the Newcastle Knights in the upcoming finals series of the Harold Matthews Cup competition.
“Many players have gone on and played representative football in their Groups or with Greater Northern before moving on to play in the NYC competition,” Bone said.
He said Greater Northern Under 16 and 18 coaches Gary Jones and Peter Stevens were now preparing for Saurday’s crucial second-round Country Championship matches against Central Coast Centurions at Scone Park.
“It’s been handy having the first round at Armidale and the second round at Scone,” Bone said.
“And the third round games against Newcastle will be at Cessnock, so it’s not been too far to travel for us.
“And last Saturday’s two wins in Armidale have put both sides in good positions.
“The 16s led 32-12 at one stage before winning 32-28 and came through pretty well unscathed.
“The 18s copped a couple of injuries though, losing Hayden Loughrey (fullback) in the first few minutes.
“They did well but will have a few changes but if the two sides can win this Saturday they will be guaranteed semi- final berths.”
Stevens said injuries to Under 18s Jake Saunders (knee) and Hayden Loughrey (foot) had left him with 15 “fit” players.
“We’ll find out more tonight,” he said at yesterday’s CRL camp at Farrer.
“I can’t give you the make-up of the side until Thursday.”
He will wait and see whether Loughrey and Saunders can be right but is considering leaving them out and hoping to be able to beat the Centurions and have the two backline stars fit for the semi-finals.
