This year players stayed stable at 325, fielding 3 teams in the U6 to U8 age groups, 2 teams in U9 to U13s, and contributing healthy numbers in the Vikings teams in U14s, U15s and U16s.
Supporting these teams we were able to call on 73 parent volunteers, an incredible number that is testimony to the health of junior rugby in these parts, especially when added to our other Manly district village clubs. Thanks to them all!
While holding our numbers up is pleasing, we are aware that primary school numbers in the Roos catchment have increased by 25% over the past 5-6 years, and we have not matched that growth. Other winter sports have been more successful in attracting young players for their inferior games, and rugby’s many advantages have been underplayed.
For the first time in memory, the Club launched a primary schools touch rugby program in Term 4 2015, giving 380 local 6- and 7-year-old girls and boys six sessions of cost-free exposure to rugby during school time, working with the development officers of the NSW Rugby Union. This initiative complements the MJRU’s own efforts with local senior schools.
Our minis teams achieved the desired mix of fun and competition. The SJRU competition season for our juniors teams depended in part, as always, in their grading. All of our second teams made the final series, with the 10Gs and 11Gs making their grand finals and the 11Gs coming home victorious, well done! Among the higher graded teams, our 11As and 13As finished mid-table, and the 12As came in 3rd. Just making the A division in these fiercely competitions is to be congratulated.
Our 2015 survey of parents, the first for some time (if ever), confirmed that the priority of parents and kids is safe enjoyment of their rugby. Many aspects contribute to that, notably equal playing time and good communication and culture within teams, age groups and the club. Those characteristics were overwhelmingly achieved in 2015, and the club will take a more active role in every age group to ensure the Roos culture is uniformly appreciated.
Tours and events continued, with buses going to the Manly Marlins Grand Final, and the U12s restoring the tradition of touring the Central West. The Club Ball was, as ever, a chance to dress up and a brilliant success.
The Roos’ finances remain strong without tapping too many sponsors, and a surplus has been built pending the replacement of our playing jerseys in 2016. Our canteen and merchandise offers were thanks, and fantastic to see the energy around the canteen on both minis Saturdays and juniors Sundays.
Sincere thanks to Stew Davies, who stepped down after six years as President and a thoroughly earned Life Membership. Thanks also to James Maxwell, Eric Downs, James King, Rob Gaunt, Alan Main, Ciaran Gray, Angela Lyons, Nicole Hercus, Martyn Ferguson, Blake Thompson, Barry van der Water, Daryl Sisson and Andy Evans for leading the club’s list of activities, over and above all they do for their teams. Please see the website’s ‘Who does what’ pages to thank and assist these great parents in their roles.
The Roos look forward to a fantastic 2016 in the aftermath of the World Cup, and in particular to working closely with the MJRU and its village clubs, the Marlins and Savers, Manly Council and the SJRU, to ensure Manly remains the great rugby nursery that it has always been.
Josh Dowse
