River McCrossen
04 August 2024, 2:40 AM
The Western Plains' newest junior rugby union club is getting set to play for the first time in September.
Around 30 children have registered so far for Brewarrina's new under sixes, eights, tens and 12s sides, with jerseys ordered and on the way.
Children have been training since June 26 on Wednesday afternoons at Brewarrina's Geoff New Oval, with equipment and coaching support from NSW Rugby.
"Everyone's excited for it - the rugby club, the town, the council," NSW Rugby Development Officer Janalee Conroy said.
"We have about 30-35 children rock up every week over various age groups. We're still working on getting everyone with timings and stuff, but it's going great.
"These kids hardly have any sport outside of school and we've got some positive feedback from the community, especially parents, to see them move around and learn a new sport.
"All the other towns can't wait to meet them."
NSW Rugby has big plans for junior rugby union in the Western Plains. PHOTO: River McCrossen
The new sides are expected to play for the first time on September 7, in friendly junior games before the Western Plains senior rugby union finals on the same day.
The day will be held in either Walgett or Warren depending on which club tops the competition points ladder.
NSW Rugby is also looking to create junior sides for Nyngan's Bogan Bulls.
There have been no registrations opened yet, with the sport body hosting casual open training days to drive interest and participation from juniors before moving to formalised teams.
The new sides are part of a broader push from NSW Rugby to develop junior rugby in the Western Plains, with Rugby Development Officer Mark Pitts hoping to form a short regional competition for under 12s.
"We are looking at potentially having eight junior clubs in the zone," Mark said.
"For us to compete as a zone, we need to give them grounding in 15-a-side rugby."