Twenty-five promising players from the Dubbo Kangaroos junior rugby club will embark on the trip of a life-time later this year, playing three tour matches in the South Island of New Zealand.
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This year will be the sixth time the junior 'Roos have taken its 15 and 16-year-old players on a tour of a place that is widely regarded as a rugby heartland .
As well as playing three extremely strong junior teams, the boys will learn more about New Zealand and will enjoy the full experience of being on a tour.
Dubbo Junior Kangaroos touring party member Michael Dodd said the tour is the highlight's of their time with the Junior 'Roos.
"We take a group of 14-15 year old boys and nurture them for a period of two years, chasing up sponsorship, learning to play together, selling raffle tickets, bagging sheep manure to getting on a big jumbo jet that 90 per cent of them have never been on to play rugby in New Zealand," he said.
"When they get back in Australia after that tour, they are young men."
Western Plains Automotive have come on board as major sponsors of the tour, with dealer principal Greg Brimble, a New Zealander and diehard rugby fan, extremely happy to help the boys make their trip.
"Being brought up in the South Island myself, having played all my rugby there, I've got a real passion for it. We are the major sponsor for the senior team and this is an opportunity to help the young guys on their trip so it was an easy decision," Mr Brimble said.
As well as the opportunity to play three very strong rugby teams, Mr Brimble said the tour would the players develop as people.
"The experience they will get will stay with them for the rest of their lives, the bonds they make and friends they make will remain with them and what they'll learn about mateship and comradeship will stand them in good stead. It won't only make them good footy players and sportsmen but good, young blokes. That's just as important as the sport itself," he said.
From his time as a player in New Zealand, Mr Brimble said he knew how much it would mean to the hosting clubs.
"I know how much it means to rugby clubs in the south island to have a visiting team. Regardless of whether they are from England, South Africa or Australia, it's a really big deal for them," he said.
"Until you have been to NZ and experienced rugby culture, can't explain it. It seriously is a religion. I'm looking forward to supporting the team and wish them all the best. I'm thinking about purchasing a couple of tickets and following a bit of tour myself."
Steven Gower will be supervising his first touring party. He said the trip wouldn't have been possible without Brimble's backing.
"Michael, myself and the board are very grateful to Greg for coming on board. Without people like Greg supporting us it makes it very difficult to do these tours so it makes a huge difference to us.