PRESS RELEASE

Goulburn is another stop off on the journey around the bush for the NSW Country Eagles when they tackle the Sydney Rays on Monday the 2nd of October. In what looks to be a bumper day, Goulburn juniors play Crookwell at midday, before the NSW Country Eagles women take on the Sydney Rays in the curtain raiser for the NRC fixture which kicks off at 3pm.

Simon Poidevin Oval will host the fixtures, and one of our greatest ever Wallabies spoke this week of his keenness for the day. “It is truly exciting for Goulburn to host its first ever National Rugby Championship game. This superb initiative was driven by the Goulburn Rugby Club, The Goulburn Mulwaree Shire Council and Andrew Blades , CEO of the Elders Country Eagles and former Wallaby great.”

Poidevin continued, paying tribute to the work being done at a grassroot level in the bustling rugby town. “Goulburn Rugby Club, under the leadership of legendary President Matt Klem, have been a shining example of a local sporting club giving back to the district through the success of their Fizzy Reds junior competition bringing together teams from Braidwood, Crookwell, Gunning and Goulburn.

As a patron and former premiership winning player for the Goulburn Dirty Reds , I am immensely proud of the work of the organisers in bringing this game to our town. The support of everyone involved has been top-notch and I can’t wait until the game.”

New general manager and ex-Wallaby, Andrew Blades, today echoed Poidevin’s thoughts.

“A massive goal of ours is to be able to promote rugby, at both a professional and grassroots level in regional areas of Australia. This season, thanks to working closely with our major partner Elders – we are playing our home games in Orange, Tamworth, Armidale and Goulburn; and I know the boys are raring to go when Round 1 rolls around at the start of September.”

“A few of our lads have meaningful connections with Goulburn, and many have happy memories of playing competitions and gala days there. This fixture come early October will be a belter for all of those reasons as much as it is about the rugby.”

Blades is in Goulburn this week to promote the game as well as running a coaching session with local juniors. Upon meeting with Goulburn Mulwaree council and a number of key club officials, they spoke of the Eagles initiative in running coaching clinics and further breaking down the barriers that exist between young players and their professional rugby heroes.

“There will be a great chance for young players in Goulburn to come and meet the players after the game on the 2nd and learn a few tips from the very best. It’s very important for us to meet these next generation of footballers and we really just can’t wait for it all to get going come October.”

Blades also spoke of the franchise’s gratitude to Goulburn’s Mulwaree Council, and Goulburn Rugby in bringing the game to the strong rugby town.

“They’ve been so helpful throughout the whole process. It’s easy working with people who have a vision similar to yours on exactly how we want to see country rugby grow in Australia. Simon Poidevin oval is a top class facility, and looks to be a belter of a track for our game against the Rays.”

“We’re also keen to see the Goulburn boys tackle Crookwell in the curtain raiser!

“Mayor of Goulburn, Bob Kirk, today said that he was looking forward to having first class Rugby in the region. “It’s a great initiative of the Country Eagles to take these games to the regional cities, and Council is a strong supporter behind the scenes in building our sporting calendar.

Goulburn Mulwaree and the surrounding regions have a number of strong Rugby clubs, led by the local Goulburn Dirty Reds, and I look forward to the clash on the 2nd of October.”

Perhaps the man most excited for the clash is Goulburn Rugby’s president, Matt Klem. Speaking today to the Eagles , he was positive about the juniors experience and the state of the Grassroots game in his town.

“The Goulburn & District junior under 12 players are very excited to be playing before the NRC game between the NSW Country Eagles and the Sydney Rays. Never before have they had the opportunity to see and play before a game of this calibre in Goulburn. We have a strong local competition in the Under 12s between Goulburn, Crookwell and Braidwood.”

“Our juniors have had 7 players obtain representative level in the NSW school system an indication that rugby is alive and well in the country areas and we want to keep providing this pathway for the kids in the future. Our local competition has progressed well and we have a record number of girls playing this season which is fantastic to see.

Location

Rugby Park Goulburn