BATHURST rugby league identity Dave Elvy has turned his passion into a profession after he was announced as the new Bathurst-based NRL development officer.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A role previously filled by Wade Judd, Elvy started his new job two weeks ago and will now spend his days trying to foster the huge talent pool throughout the central west.
Elvy’s credentials are unquestionable having played for Penrith Panthers in the NRL and captain-coached Bathurst Panthers to Group 10 glory.
“I’ll have Mick Armstrong as my teacher, he’s a master when it comes to this sort of thing,” Elvy said of the former St Pat’s captain.
“From what I know at this stage the job is going to involve a lot of school programs, particularly high school based stuff, whereas Mick will tend to look after the primary school side of things.
“There will be a lot of work involved, but it is all about trying to get kids involved in footy, particularly kids that might not have given it a go before.”
Elvy has often used his spare time helping recruit for the Penrith Panthers club, and said the opportunity to be involved with the sport on a full-time basis was too good to refuse.
One of Elvy’s main long-term goals is to try and grow the percentage of players making the jump from country football to the NRL.
The western region has a huge pool of top-level junior talent and in recent years countless players from Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo and smaller towns in the area have linked with NRL clubs to play in the National Youth Competition and other development leagues.
‘There is a lot of talent in this area and with Penrith coming out here more ... there will be more opportunities for kids,” he said.
“There are a lot more kids getting a crack in Sydney then there was 10 or 15 years ago.”