THE 2012 junior league season has started and while the first competition points won’t be up for grabs until April 28, the success of the Dubbo association’s recent knockout carnival suggests everyone is glad that footy has returned.
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Teams from the under-10s through to under-15s were in action, playing 86 matches across the course of the day and Dubbo Junior Rugby League president Neil Millgate said the event was a winner.
“We got a lot of good responses about the day and we’ve had some towns telling us they want to be a part of it next year,” Millgate said.
“The knockout went from 8am until 4.45pm and we had no incidents and the only injury was a boy from the 14s tearing a hamstring.
“A lot of work went into the day and there were some tired and sore bodies on the Sunday, particularly from the referees.”
There is something very pure about watching sport at a junior level.
Whether it be the sense of team spirit, the lack of care about winning or losing, or the coach trying to get the team to run the right way in the very early days, there is something enjoyable about a day at the junior footy.
And that enjoyment was evident when speaking to three players from the St John’s under-10s.
Bulldogs fan Steven Kehoe is the son of local jockey Jeff Kehoe, who acts as an assistant coach with the team.
“We won our first game but lost the second one,” he said.
“Sometimes I play in the centres and sometimes in the second-row and we’re looking forward to getting to play on the big fields this year.”
Fullback Sam Taylor is the son of Macquarie’s Col Taylor and he admitted his ‘defection’ to St John’s caused a bit of angst in the family.
“I’ve been playing since I was in year 2 and I want to try and play for CYMS when I’m old enough,” he said.
“Dad plays for Macquarie so he’s not real happy about that. I want to play for CYMS and if I’m good enough maybe then play for the Tigers.
“We’re a good side I think and I hope we can win some games this year.
“I always wait for footy season to start, I don’t really play cricket or anything.”
Charlie Toshack’s dad Paul Toshack was a local junior who spent some time with Eastern Suburbs.
Paul is now the coach of the under-10s and according to Charlie, he pushes the boys pretty hard.
“Dad wanted to coach so that’s why I play footy,” he said.
“We train two times a week on Wednesday and Friday and we’re always pretty tired at the end of it.
“This is my third year playing footy and I like to play halfback. In the NRL I go for the Cowboys and my favourite player is Matty Bowen.”
