MOST kids during November are only just warming into the cricket season, but the Orange Roosters are doing their best to ensure a footy is never far away.
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Aiming to build a solid player base as the tri-colours club soars towards its fifth season in the Group 10 Junior Rugby League competition in 2015, Roosters registrar Nathan Griffths was yesterday joined by NRL development officers Dave Elvy and Mick Armstrong at The Willows Preschool and Early Learning Centre in running a junior league clinic.
Looking at fielding sides in the under 6s, under 7s, under 8s and under 9s next winter, Griffiths was confident the recent recruitment drive - which also included a similar clinic at Bletchington Public School and the Orange Pre-School Moad Street next week - will net the Roosters more teams.
“Most of these kids are probably off to primary school next year, so they’re five or six next year ... hopefully we can fill them up and get more teams there,” Griffiths said.
“We’re looking to go bigger next year.”
Last season the Roosters fielded sides in the under 7s and under 8s.
It’s hoped the under 8s will progress as a group up an age next season while the new players form teams in the younger, under 6s and 7s competitions in Group 10.
The Roosters hope to one day be competitive with the city’s other two major junior league nurseries.
“Our goal is to try and eventually compete with Bloomfield and Orange CYMS. It’s hard to compete in the community without running these sort of things,” he added.
Willows Preschool and Early Learning Centre senior preschool room leader Amy Wherritt said the boys and girls involved in the clinic had a ball.
“Having the Orange Roosters come and provide the children with the opportunity they otherwise wouldn’t get is great,” she said.
Anyone interested in being part of the Roosters next season can contact Griffiths on 0401 536 899.
