New era for our juniors
GOLD Coast District Rugby Union powerbrokers are chuffed that an under-17 division will get off the ground this year in a landmark achievement for the often maligned code.
GCDRU directors have long spoken of the need to resolve the steep drop-off in participation among players in their late teens and believe the new competition, which will be known as the Radio Metro Cup, will go a long way towards juniors continuing through to seniors.
Previously under-15 was the oldest age group.
Six teams are set to feature in the Radio Metro Cup: Palm Beach Currumbin, Bond Pirates, Helensvale, Gold Coast Eagles, Griffith University Colleges and a Surfers-Nerang merger side.
Hogs winger Noah Fielding was glad to have the chance to stay playing with his mates a little long before they dispersed into different levels in open-age footy.
“It’s good to keep with that cohort of boys that I have known for a long time,” he said.
Fielding’s side made it to the under-15 Joey’s Cup decider last year at Cbus Super Stadium but lost to Colleges.
The year before he and his Helensvale teammates took out the under-14 premiership.
The flyer, who has been with the Hogs since the age of 10, has spent time training with the club’s senior squad this pre-season and intends to stick around for many years to come.
“My fitness picked up from that. It’s good training,” he said.
“I’m definitely looking to play first grade in the future.”
GCDRU chairman Kim Bending noted further efforts were in the pipeline to help with the transition of junior players into senior rugby.
“We’re tempted now to move third grade to Friday night and bring the under-17s into their timeslot on a Saturday,” Bending said.
“We’re trying to tie them with the seniors as much as possible.”
The under-17 competition is scheduled to start on April 27, three weeks after seniors kick off.