Local Rugby League to thrive in
2004

The 2003 National Rugby League (NRL) Grand Final has been hailed as one of the greatest ever. The Pennant Hills/Cherrybrook Rugby League Club Inc., the ?Penno Stags?, are anticipating that the spotlight that fell on the 2003 Grand Final will result in increased participation and interest in Rugby League at the local level.

Club President, Darryl Beitsch, stated that the health of local Rugby League clearly mirrored events at the NRL level. ?In 1995 our Club had 20 teams across all the age groups but following the ?Super League War? there was a marked fall-off in participation and support. At the Penno Stags we?re anticipating that the current health of the game, as evidenced by the Panthers ? Roosters Grand Final, will translate into increased participation at the junior level. Player numbers increased as much as 20% in some age groups in the 2003 season and we?re planning to accommodate that same level of increase in 2004.?

Pennant Hills/Cherrybrook Rugby League Club, the ?Penno Stags?, is a community-based, non-profit organisation proudly representing Pennant Hills, Cherrybrook and neighbouring suburbs throughout the North Sydney and Manly-Warringah Rugby League districts. Player participation ranges from the Under 6 grade to the open age ?A? grade team.

The Club was founded in 1967 as the Pennant Hills Rugby League Club and in 1993 changed its name to the Pennant Hills/Cherrybrook Rugby League Club in recognition of the significant growth in adjoining Cherrybrook. The Club colours are blue and white with a red ?Stag? emblem, with the home ground at Greenway Oval No. 2, Shepherds Drive, Cherrybrook. The 2004 Junior Rugby League season commences with Registration Days on 31 January 2004 and 7 & 14 February 2004 at Greenway Oval No. 2, Shepherds Drive, Cherrybrook between 11:00a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Training commences during March with the season kicking off late March/early April. The Finals Series, culminating in the ?Grand Final?, takes place throughout August/September.

Darryl stated that planning for the 2004 season is already underway and anyone with an interest to become involved with the Club either as a player, coach, club official, sponsor or supporter is welcome to contact either himself on 9481 8388 or Ross Ruhan on 9651 3443.

Find out more information about the Stags at their website - www.pennostags.com