Junior rugby players in the Lower Mid North Coast region have been given the go ahead to return to the field after a long lay-off due to COVID-19.
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Lower Mid North Coast Junior Rugby president, Aaron Dodds, said his team of coaches were looking forward to seeing the young players running around the paddock again, learning the game and making long-lasting friendships.
The Get Into Rugby program will be the first to return, with an initial session kicking off at Aub Ferris Oval at Nabiac on Friday, July 17 from 6pm to 7:30pm.
This will be followed by subsequent sessions at Nabiac on July 31 and August 7, both from 6pm to 7:30pm.
The program is open to six to 14-year-olds.
Classic Wallabies players will join the kids for the final session on August 7 in an effort to inspire the region's next generation of rugby enthusiasts.
Mr Dodds said this was an exciting opportunity.
"The connection from the Wallabies to grassroots rugby is promising for the future of our zone, with goals to inspire and challenge all up and coming rugby players," he said.
"Rugby has many pathways from grassroots to club, Shute Shield, Super Rugby, to play for Australia in 15s, 10s and 7s internationally and at the Olympics."
Participants in the program will have to comply with a number of COVID-19 guidelines, including:
- arriving at and leaving the venue as close to the start and finish times as possible;
- bringing their own drink bottles and not sharing personal items such as mouth guards and towels; and
- no parents/guardians on the training field.
Anyone who is unwell, has been in contact with a known COVID-19 case, or has travelled interstate or overseas in the previous 14 days is also urged not to attend.
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Beyond the Get Into Rugby program there is a number of events that are looking promising for young rugby players.
Port Macquarie is currently running a competition on Friday nights for interested kids.
The Coffs Challenge, a non-competitive 10s tournament for under-10s and under-15s, has been proposed for September 28-30.
And the NSW State Sevens Championships, held in Forster-Tuncurry each year, has been proposed for October 9-11.
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