Media Release 3 - Coffs Harbour Rugby

Coffs Harbour Rugby Union Football Club Inc. Media release
‘Another’ NSW Country representative for
the Snappers
Following in the footsteps of Chris Tonks and Stuart McVicar over the last two years, Jeb Freeman is another young SNAPPERS player to be selected in the NSW Country under 20’s rugby Union team. Peter Coetzer from the Port Macquarie Pirates was the only other Mid North Coast representative to make the squad. A running back that can play anywhere, Jeb was a regular first grade player for the Snappers in 2013 when he wasn’t on NSW Country Schools duty or travelling overseas to play. ‘At 18 years of age it is great that he has made the NSW Country Colts which is under 20’s. It really shows his ability’ said Matt Joyce (Coffs Harbour Snappers president). Selection in this squad is the first step in the pathway for the Australian U20’s which will contest the U20 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand during June. The squad will now assemble in Sydney during February to attend a training camp, and play a series of trial matches against the Waratahs Colts training squads. At the completion of the training camp twenty five players will be selected for the NRMA NSW Country Cockatoo Colts to participate in the Southern States Colts Championships in Adelaide on 22 – 24 February 2014. Teams from ACT, NSW Country, Queensland Country, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia will contest the Southern States Colts Championships. A Southern States Colts Team will be selected at the conclusion of these championships which will then play a series of matches against the Reds and Waratahs Colts for final selection in the Australian U20’s for the RWC. NSW Country Coach Matt Thomas said “selecting the squad had been a mammoth exercise given the early timing of the Southern States, but it had been pleasing to see the large number of players who had trialled”. He went on to say “the Southern States Championships was a great pathway opportunity for Country players, and was something NSW Country Rugby Union had been pushing for with the ARU for several years”. ‘This is a great achievement and something the club is proud of’ said Matt Joyce (Coffs Harbour Snappers president) ‘The Snappers have provided a great pathway over the years to representative selection at a higher level so we encourage all young players no matter what sport they play to join the club and give it a go’ said Joyce ‘We now have Under 16 and under 18 teams and great coaches to bring the players along (no matter what their ability is). Interested players can come along to training on Tuesday and Thursdays from 6 pm at Coffs Rugby Park’ said Joyce. An example of our young players going on to higher levels are shown recently by the success of Rory Walton and Tim Metcher who only recently were playing under 18’s and first grade for us and now they are playing for the Western Force and NSW Waratahs in the super rugby competition. Along with these guys, other Coffs Harbour Snappers young guns Mitch Walton and Duncan Chubb are regular firsts graders in the Sydney competition and all four have been members of either the Australia Barbarians or Australian under 20’s over the last five years’ said Joyce. Jeb Freeman (left) representing NSW Country Schools in 2013. Local Rugby – Coffs Snappers On the local scene, the Coffs Harbour Snappers are stepping up a gear with only 10 weeks until the start of the Mid North Coast Rugby Union competition. After a successful stint in the Crescent Head 7’s a few weeks back where they made the semi finals, next weekend they will head to Yamba for the Yamba Prawn Bowl 7’s. After this we have our important trials to get the guys match fit before the start of the season’ said Rob Waddy (Coffs First grade coach). It’s great to see so many new guys at training and to have the under 16’s now involved too is great for rugby on the Mid North Coast. Trials program: • 8th March in Port Macquarie (round robin between all upper and lower MNC teams) • 15 March – Trial 2 in Coffs ‐ Snappers v Lismore (130 pm) and MNC v FNC ‐ 3pm (u20’s) and 5pm (seniors) • 22 March – Trial 3 v Armidale Baa Baa’s in Coffs • 12 April – Trial 4 v SCU Marlins (seniors, under 18’s ) and Coffs v Kempsey (u/16s Rnd 1) at Coffs Rugby Park • 3 May – first round v Kempsey at Coffs Rugby Park Players interested in playing this season can come along on Tuesday or Thursday night at Coffs Rugby Park from 6pm. Further information.................. can be found on our website (www.coffsrugby.com) or face book (www.facebook.com/coffsrugby) or contact Paul Butcher (Coffs Ruby secretary and media officer – 0438 650 129). Coffs Harbour Snappers Sponsors Thank you to all our sponsors and particularly our major sponsors: 2013 SPONSOR BOARD Gold Sponsors: The Xerox Shop Big Country Meats The Coast Hotel Si Clean Energy Silver Sponsors: Bellbowrie Motors Brown & Hurley Beachside Radiology MBT Lawyers Bronze Sponsors: Invest Blue Coffs Coast Health Club DKM Group Hoys Physiotherapy Signs Express Brad Pearce Dental Surgery The Good Guys Sawtell Drycleaners & Laundry Tooheys New Coates Hire The Coffs Coast Advocate Supporter Sponsors: Newnham Karl Weir & Partners Peter Dubois Smash Repairs Bristol G R Joyce Building Pty Ltd Victor Sports Barry Hockey Accountant & Tax Specialist Thankyou to all our wonderful sponsors and we encourage everyone to use them. Proudly Sponsored by

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