News from Ballina Rugby Club

We would like to invite you and your family and friends to a night out at the Lismore Greyhounds.

The club has been planning this event for quite some time and apart from being something a little different, Ballina Rugby club will also be the host sponsor for the night. We have been given the naming rights for each race. 

The cost for the night is $20 per person which includes bus and entry. The night doubles as a fundraiser for the club with all the proceeds raised through ticket sales and race sponsorship going back to the club.

 So come along on TUESDAY, 27^th JULY and get involved – BALE up your friends, the more the merrier! Buses will be leaving the club at 5.30pm (First race 6.30pm) and departing Lismore at approximately 10pm (Last race 9.40pm).

 We need to confirm numbers in the next week or two so please RSVP at your earliest opportunity and no later that Thursday 22^nd July.

 We hope you can make it!

Under 10s 15-20 v Lennox. 02/07/2010

On a very cold and damp night Ballina took on Lennox at Lennox. Under trying conditions better suited to penguins, the Ballina side showed a great deal of courage narrowly losing to the Lennox side. All players showed grit and never gave up with Ryley leading the way.   The coaches continue to be impressed and are very proud of all the players.

Report by Brett McClintock

As stated in the June newsletter, parents should confirm match times each Wednesday with the coaches as they are subject to change by FNC Rugby due to things such as venue availability etc.

This week, Round 8 for Friday 11th June, there are two changes. The under 12s now play at 6:15 at Lennox Head and the Under 13s play at 6:30 at Casino. The Under 13s are all to meet at the Ballina club house at 4:45pm to organise transport so that no player is left behind.

Under 10s (19-17 v Bangalow) 

The Bangalow side arrived at Ballina to take on a very buoyant Ballina U10’s still full of excitement from their first win the previous week. Bangalow started off very well and were 2 tries ahead before the Ballina boys could get into the contest. Not one of the Ballina side panicked and as a result the game started to turn as Ballina were turning defence into attack and showing a real hunger for the ball. Dre, Malik, Heath and Ryley again took on the Bangalows bigger boys and with their improved technique and their desperation, they continually got possession for the Ballina side. Hamish and Jarrod ran with purpose and scored tries that brought Ballina back into the contest and with Hamish converting both, Ballina were in front at half time. Ballina continued in the same vein in the second half and with Aleki scoring his first try as well as making a fine dash down the sidelines Ballina came out on top. Hayden and Kyuss maintained their fine form to trouble the Bangalow defence with some fine running. A tough, close game of football where the boys really showed how much they have improved both individually but more importantly as a team. The coaches and I am sure all the families and spectators were very proud of their efforts.

-          Brett McClintock

Issue 2 of our monthly Junior Newsletter is now available.

All players from the 8s, 10s & 16s were given a copy on Friday night, so if any parents haven’t seen a copy, go digging in your son’s or daughter’s footy bag. The newsletter will be scrunched up between the dirty socks and stinky chest & shoulder protectors. The 13s and 12s will receive a copy at training on Wednesday. The next four rounds of games are printed at the end of the newsletter, so make sure it makes it onto the fridge door for quick reference.

To all of our Juniors, don’t forget that the Senior grades are at home this Saturday against Wollongbar-Alstonville. Get those club polo shirts on and come along to cheer on the Seahorses.

Under10s                                                                                                                                               On a damp night Ballina took on a very physical Evans Head side that are the benchmark of the U10 Competition this season. Ballina, while being a little ruffled by the Evans Head defence, never stopped trying and played a great game with continued improvement across the park in terms of tackling, ball movement and ball retention. It was a fine effort which was rewarded by Jarrod scoring the final try of the game which Hamish duly converted. All the boys are improving with Zach, Ryley, Dre, Heath and Malik taking on the bigger and more physical forwards all day. Alecki, Hamish, Haydon, Kyuss and Jarrod Run with gusto and determination while also tackling well. The coaches are happy with each player’s improvement and hope they keep their positive outlook to their rugby going.

Under13s                                                                                                                                             The Under 13s played Grafton in a game that finished in cold and wet conditions. Grafton have struggled a bit this year and the 13s were grateful for Grafton’s dedication in making the long trek up with only 13 players. To Grafton’s credit they put in right to the final whistle in what turned out to be a one sided affair in favour of our boys. Ballina loaned a couple of players to Grafton and those boys all put in 100% effort for the Redmen.
From the kick off, Ballina played with an intensity that has been building since the season started. Attacking from our own try line, the first try after two minutes set the tone, with Ballina scoring a total of five tries from plays starting within our own 22.
The team tackled their hearts out, again showing improvement from last week, and vindicating the decision to train in the wet on Wednesday night.
Matt scored 5 tries with 3 of these starting within his own 22 and kept well away from the sideline (which has been his achilles heel for the last few weeks). Brad scored 3 tries, and for someone who had never played before this season, has picked up the game exceptionally well.
Special mention needs to go to Kenny, Dion and Darcy who all played for Evans Head (who were short on players) in the Under 12s and then backed up for the Under 13s.
With 10 players who have never played rugby before this season, the guys are finally hitting their straps and all signs are great for the rest of the season with an amazing rise in the standard of play from the team. A special mention needs to go to Guy, Travis and Jake’s mothers who forgot to bring the champagne to celebrate the first win of the year.

The ARU & NSWRU are running a Foundation Course at the Ballina Rugby Club on Sunday the 6th June. This course is for anyone wanting to obtain their Level 1 Coaching or Level 1 Referee accreditation. It is an all day course with lunch provided and is highly recommended to anyone in the club considering refereeing rugby or coaching whether it be Juniors or Seniors. Both the Senior and Junior Clubs pay the $70 fee for any player or member of the club to do the course and the ARU generally only run one or two of these courses a year. With this course being run at our home club, it is a golden opportunity for members to obtain Level 1 accreditation. If you would like any further information about the course content, have a chat to Ross Wilkinson, Mick Claes or Karlo.

A fantastic turn out by the Juniors last Saturday when the Senior Club hosted Lismore City. The younger kids really enjoyed making the tunnel for the 1st and 2nd Grade players and from all reports, the Junior Seahorses had a great day.

A big thank you must go to the Senior Club for accommodating a Juniors Day and also many thanks to Ray, Adam and Tony for getting the kids organised for their game during the 1st Grade half time break, Lyster, Jackie and the canteen helpers for getting the free food organised for the boys and girls and of course the parents for bringing the kids along to support the Seniors. The Juniors looked great in their club polo shirts. Well done to everyone involved.

8s                                                                                                                                                                     The Ballina Under 8’s travelled to Casino and had a great game. Showing excellent evasive skills to score, they were able to come away with a convincing win 12 tries to 2 . After 3 draws from the first 3 rounds, this game broke the pattern convincingly. The team is showing great improvement and making tracking , chasing and tagging the strong points of their game.

10s                                                                                                                                                                     On a chilly night Ballina took on Casino who seemed to be a little bigger across the park than our guys. Although well behind on the scoreboard, Ballina never gave up and their 2nd half effort was sensational considering we had no reserves and had done a ton of tackling in the first half. The game highlighted some areas we need to work on at training but the important thing is that the lads are having fun and are improving each game. Player of the game was Kyuss who tackled very well against much bigger opposition. Zach, Ryley, Dre and Malik kept taking it up all game in the forwards while Alicki,Hamish, Haydon and Jarrod made many spirited runs into the teeth of the physically bigger Casino defense. Again the players made the coaches really proud with their efforts.

13s                                                                                                                                                                   The under 13s were playing against the competition leaders Wollongbar who, with 13 representative players in their squad, were always going to be tough to match. 
From the opening whistle the boys played with vigor and skill, and whilst they were up against the larger and more experienced team, they tackled their hearts out and held Wollongbar for several periods.
The half time score was 45 to nil, a good result considering the difference between the two sides but after a rousing halftime talk, our boys came out determined to take it to the opposition in the second half. For most of the second period the teams were evenly matched with Ballina crossing for the first try to be scored against Wollongbar this year. This half was a better reflection of the improving skill of the Ballina boys (a team boasting 60% of first time rugby players this year), with the second half score a respectable 19 – 5.

Under 12s & 16s (report to follow)