JCU RE ADY TO RUCK
T O W N S V I L L E ’ S o l d e s t rugby union club is set to make a proud return to the senior ranks this season with JCU accepted into the Townsville and Districts Rugby Union A- grade competition.
JCU Rugby formed more than half a century ago as one of the competition’s foundation clubs, but they relinquished their place in A- grade during the 2014 season due to a player drain.
The club has worked to rebuild its senior team ever since and will field teams in all men’s grades along with under- 18s and a women’s team this season.
The revitalised JCU has also proposed a merger with the strong junior base from the Western Suburbs club, which is expected to come into operation by next year.
Western Suburbs have also struggled with senior numbers, having started last season in A- grade before they were forced to withdraw, and newly elected JCU president Les Sampson believed joining forces would strengthen the pathways for both clubs.
“We’re the oldest continuing club in Townsville. We have a strong seniors brand and we need to maintain growth so we need juniors,” he said.
“Wests have a strong junior presence so there’s a mutual benefit in joining together and playing as one club.
“All the juniors will register with Wests and seniors with JCU then we’ll sort it all out by the end of the year as to what one club looks like.”
JCU has recruited experi- enced coach Tuaine Meaaroa to lead the team and the New Zealander said he was excited to help establish a strong culture at the club.
“There’s a lot of expectations for me to bring something to this club, but it’s a good challenge,” he said.
“Culture is a big thing, just getting the players to understand what it is to bring everybody together, not just in Agrade, but everybody in the mix.”
Last year’s third- grade captain Derek Davies said the JCU players were all excited to make the step up to the top grade this season.
“We’ve struggled with numbers a bit in the past and so just having another club like Wests come along and decide to join forces and tackle the season together, we’re pretty excited to see how it turns out,” Davies said.
“It’ll be interesting to see how we compete for positions, but it’s good to have that to keep us hungry and make us successful for the whole season.”
JCU are still chasing more players across all grades and the club will hold a sign- on day at the beer garden at Tom’s Tavern today from 2pm.