A group of 30 young players attended the great Snowy Mountains Rugby League Academy in Bombala over the weekend.
WHETHER you were at the pool, in our new gym or near the Exhibition Ground, there were active kids to be seen everywhere as the Snowy Mountains Rugby League Academy held a very successful camp in Bombala over the weekend.
A total of 30 young rugby league players, mostly from the local district but also from Jindabyne, came together for the camp, which was all about developing skills and teamwork.
Local players who took part included Adam Rodwell, Alex Rosten, BJ Gaunson-Papalii, Blake Brownlie, Blake Stevenson, Bryson Phillip-Jones, Callum Bedingfield, Chance Westaway, Charlie Peisley, Gary Giles, Jack Walls, Jasper Bruce, Jordan Rosten, Ky Rodwell, Lachlan Bruce, Logan Brownlie, Mitchell Power, Sam Power, Toby Morgan, Tyler Jones and Zac McGowan.
They were joined by seven Jindabyne players, with all meeting at the showground on Saturday morning for some catch and pass testing, before hitting the pool for another active session.
This spelled out the routine for much of the weekend, with the group alternating between field and pool sessions both Saturday and Sunday, as well as checking out the new Raw Strength and Fitness centre.
Headquarters were Bondi Forest Camp, where the group enjoyed free time, games and meals, as well as sitting in on a Hydration and Nutrition lecture, and a session on Goal Setting.
Of course there was also time for some rugby league games on the Sunday at the conclusion of the camp, and it was clear to see that all participants got great enjoyment out of the weekend as well as developing their skills.
The camp proved so popular that the young players are keenly looking forward to the Academy’s next camp to be held in Jindabyne shortly, with close to 70 players being expected to take part.
The concept of the entire Academy program is to have players from Jindabyne to Bombala, out to Delegate and across to Nimmitabel come together, engage in some skills surrounding the game, forge some friendships and play a game together at the completion of the program.
The academy allows young players to work under experienced coaches and be up skilled with the long term goal of breathing life into footy in the area and potentially playing in the Group 16 competition in 2013.
The Jindabyne camp will be held on December 15 and 16, with another camp in Narooma on February 2 and 3, 2013, before the program winds up with games at the Group 16 Bibbenluke Carnival in March.
Players will then have the chance to nominate and play in the Group 16 competition in 2013.
Those who would like to get involved in the camps or the Academy can contact David Bruce on 0400 583 211 or 6458 3205.
For more photographs, please see Page 21.