CRL Bush Telegraph - 2015 #10

This week the CRL celebrates grassroots Rugby League with the 'PlayNRL' Round of the Telstra Premiership, featuring Country Rugby League Junior - former Wests Devils, Wests Tigers and Cronulla Sharks star Beau Ryan... plus lots more!

PLAY NRL ROUND

The NRL celebrates grassroots rugby league in Round 3 of the Telstra Premiership with the former Wests Devil junior and recently retired NRL legend, Beau Ryan, fronting the 'PlayNRL' Round campaign.

With most junior competitions set to kick off in the coming weeks, Junior Rugby League is anticipating its biggest year yet with close to 100,000 players, across 8,800 teams and 1,300 clubs from the Under 6s to Under 18s, already registered for the 2015 season in Australia.

"Reflecting on my junior playing days at Wests Devils in Illawarra, I am thrilled to be helping to spread the NRL message around PlayNRL," Ryan said.

"I had some of the best years of my life playing junior rugby league. There are times I'll never forget and my experiences definitely made me better as a person and as a player.

"It's fantastic to see a whole round dedicated to acknowledging the mums and dads, ball boys, coaches and referees, volunteers from the canteen and those who run the business side of the clubs, as without them there would be no game."

Click here to see Beau Ryan speak about his Junior Rugby League days at Wests Devils.

OAKDALE WORKERS SEASON LAUNCH

Oakdale Workers Rugby League Football Club celebrated their 2015 Season Launch in style on Saturday evening with the unveiling of their new playing strips and the induction of their 24th Life Member Joyce MacBeth.

The Club itself has risen from the ashes in the last few years, all thanks to very dedicated and hard working committee members and volunteers with the help of generous sponsors. Club President Rob Hatcher is ecstatic with the inclusion of 2 sides in this year's Group 6 competition in First Grade and Reserve Grade respectively.

"The club has such a proud history and it was heart wrenching when we were left dead in the water. It's encouraging to see new faces in with the old for what will hopefully be a new era here at Oakdale. We want to be competitive and this season and create a solid foundation to build on for the years to come".

The Oakdale Workers will be facing their arch-rivals The Oaks this Saturday at Dudley Chesham Oval from 6.30pm.

GRENFELL EXPATS/INVITATIONAL V YOUNG CHERRYPICKERS GALA DAY

The Grenfell Goannas will kick off their 2015 season with a Rugby League Invitational Game and Gala Day followed by their Season Launch at the Grenfell Bowling Club. There will be five games on the day beginning at 12pm as follows:

• 12pm: Grenfell Girlannas v Young Cherryettes (League Tag)
• 1pm: Grenfell Under 18's v Young Cherrypickers Under 18's
• 2.15pm: Grenfell Dinosaurs v Young Cherryatrics (Old Boys)
• 3.15pm: Grenfell Goannas v Yass Magpies
• MAIN GAME: 5pm Grenfell Expats/Invitational v Young Cherrypickers 1st Grade.

With a number of players with Sydney grade experience to go with some local legends, the Goannas are surely confident of a big performance. Led by Steve "Bluey" Southern, the local boys will be keen to give a good showing and the Cherrypickers will have to be on their toes.

RON COOTE TO VISIT GUNNEDAH IN SUPPORT OF MEN OF LEAGUE

Rugby League legend Ron Coote will visit Gunnedah Services Bowling Club this weekend in support of the Men of League Foundation.

Coote now chairs the MOL foundation around Australia in supporting the needs of past and present rugby league players and is one of a number of league legends set to descend on the community. Joining him will be John "Bomber" Peard, former Canterbury five-eighth, Leo Toohey; former Castleford, Wigan and Cronulla Coach, Stuart Raper and ex-Cronulla prop and NRL Welfare and Education Manager, Ben Ross. Gunnedah's MOL Bowls Day will be held from 10am on Sunday, March 22.

Cost is $20 per player (teams of four) which includes green fees and barbecue lunch. For bookings or to nominate your bowls team, contact the Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club on (02) 6742 0220 or Peter Haley on 0419 448 494 or haleys.gunny@gmail.com

VB MY FOOTY REWARDS

Thanks to Victoria Bitter and My Footy Rewards, you could have the chance of winning $100,000 whilst supporting your local Rugby League club.

By registering with My Footy Rewards, your nominated club will go into the running to win great prizes including $8000 cash, a visit from My Footy Rewards ambassador Cameron Smith, signed memorabilia and equipment vouchers. Plus, if you join before April 30th, you go into the running to win $100,000.

Simply register at myfootyrewards.com.au, select your local club and start redeeming codes from specially marked products.