Rugby devotee chips in for juniors

PLAYING rugby for $1 – it seems too good to be true, but one local businessman is helping to make it happen.

Adam Brancher, of Southern Ocean Carbon Company, has offered to pay $29 of the $30 junior rugby fees to get more children into the sport post-COVID-19.

Mr Brancher, who played rugby for 35 years and has been involved as an official and coach, wanted to give back to a sport that has given so much to him.

“I think that rugby is a superb sport. It’s a sport that people of all sizes and athletic abilities can take part in, it’s a great character-building sport, it’s about teams and taking part,” he said.

“I’m conscious that kids have been cooped up and might be looking for something new.

“(This) will probably make it one of the least expensive sports in Tasmania.”

Mr Brancher’s company aims to use seaweed and algae to reduce carbon emissions, and he believes this links well with the sport.

“The rugby community is multinational and what we’re doing aligns with rugby in a lot of things and transcends to a lot of people.”

Nic Robertson, of the Tasmanian Rugby Union, was delighted with Mr Brancher’s contribution.

“Post-COVID we wanted to put a reasonable price on getting kids back into rugby,” he said.

The offer is available for the first 70 players that sign up.

The TRU’s first junior come-and-play competition starts on Saturday from 11am at Rugby Park, New Town.

Registration for under 16s is from 10.30am, and more information is available on the TRU Facebook page.