From this weekend, Junior Rugby League Clubs in the region begin taking registrations for the upcoming 2010 McDonalds Junior Rugby League Competitions and a host of current Canberra Raiders representatives have praised Local Rugby League Clubs for their rise to the NRL level.

Incredibly, almost 40% of David Furner’s current NRL Training Squad (i.e. 14 out of 37 players) has come through the Canberra Region Junior Rugby League system and leading players have given varying endorsements about the game at the local level.

Terry Campese, the Raiders chief playmaker and Queanbeyan United Junior said “I remember the reason I started playing footy at Under 6’s was because you got to learn all of the skills, like tackling, from the word go. Our game is very well administered even at this young age”. Campese added, “I have been fortunate through Rep Teams and Club Games that it has provided me opportunities to get away from home, and see places I would not have had the chance to see”.

Rising star Josh Dugan who is a Tuggeranong Junior was quick to point out that Junior Rugby League was an affordable option for his ‘league mad’ family.

“Rugby League was the game in our family and I was keen to give it a go to emulate the footsteps of my hero at the time Darren Lockyer”. Dugan said.

Trevor Thurling, currently a forward with the Raiders gave a varied insight into the game of league for potential participants to consider. “Growing up I played both league and union in the backline believe it or not and the thing that appealed to me most about the game I now play professionally was that I got more involved in the game as it was more free flowing and exciting”

All Junior Registered Players in the 2010 McDonalds Junior Rugby League Competitions receive a complimentary pass to Raiders NRL matches at Canberra Stadium and Raiders players will visit local clubs throughout the season, however the regions leading players confess that they take any opportunity they can to return back to suburban ovals.

Troy Thompson, the long serving Raiders front rower, confirmed he looked forward to going out and watching football at West Belconnen during the season. “I love to frequent my old stomping ground and watch the young blokes coming through. It is awesome to catch up with old Club Stalwarts as well, friends I have made for life”.

The notions of playing sport with your mates and having fun stood out in the Raiders reflections on their local league days, and Goulburn Junior Jarrod Croker best described the benefits of registering in a local rugby league club. “My mates and I have always loved and played the game on weekends and in the after school comps….we just couldn’t get enough of it. Fortunately I am still living the dream of playing the game I love with a group of close mates”.

Local registrations begin this Saturday 6 February 2010 in Bungendore and Crookwell and will continue across the other 14 junior clubs in the coming weeks. See attached schedule of registration dates.

For more information contact go to the Canberra Region Junior Rugby League website http://canberra.leaguenet.com.au