Across the next fortnight, entire Raiders NRL squad will be dispersed across the ACT and surrounding regions to lend a hand at the training sessions of junior rugby league clubs in the area.
Beginning on Tuesday and continuing again the following Tuesday, the 19th of May, the Raiders NRL squad will visit every junior club in the Canberra Junior Rugby League.
Canberra Region Rugby League Junior Administrator Debbie Ford says that initiatives such as this by the Raiders proves just how community focused the club is.
“The visits to junior clubs by the Raiders NRL squad provides grass roots rugby league with a tremendous boost,” Ford said.
“The children absolutely love it and getting up close and personal with their heroes at their own training sessions gives them memories that they will remember for the rest of their lives.
“Whilst the main emphasis is on the kids having fun, it also gives the kids something to aspire to when they are older if they continue to work hard, given that a lot of the players are visiting junior clubs whom they in fact played for.”
One of those players is club Captain Jarrod Croker.
“I know that I can speak on behalf of all of the players when I say that we enjoy the visits just as much as the kids,” said Croker who played his junior rugby league for the Goulburn Stockmen.
“Rugby league is a part of the fabric of the Canberra community and it’s a very rewarding feeling being able to put a smile on the faces of kids, especially ones that share a mutual love of the game with you.
“Days like this are very special in particular for guys like myself, Paul Vaughan, Mitch Cornish, Sam Williams, Mark Nicholls and Jack Ahearn because we all played our junior footy in the area and are passionate to see our old clubs continue to thrive.”
Tuesday 12th of May
From 5:00pm – 6:00pm the following clubs will be visited by players:
- Belconnen Untied Sharks
- Cooma Colts
- Gungahlin Bulls
- Queanbeyan Blues
- Queanbeyan Kangaroos
- Valley Dragons
- Yass Magpies
Tuesday 19th of May
From 5:00pm – 6:00pm the following clubs will be visited by players:
- Bungendore Tigers
- Crookwell Green Devils
- Goulburn Junior Stockmen
- North Canberra Bears
- South Tuggeranong Knights
- Tuggeranong Buffaloes
- Woden Weston Rams
- West Belconnen Warriors