League players converge on Waiouru

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 404, 17 September 1991, Page 17

League players converge on Waiouru

Waiouru hosted over 300 players and administrators for the National Rugby League Under 17 tournament The aim of the tournament was to select the best team of league players in this age group to attend New Zealand's elite camp which is held twice a year. The outstanding players in New

Zealand from Under 15, 17, 19 age groups and the Junior Kiwis attend this camp for special coaching. New Zealand representatives and Winfield Cup players come to coach. Last year Gary Freeman, and Dean Lonegan were two of many who attended the elite camp. There were ten

provincial teams competing: Auckland, Canterbury, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, West Coast, Manawatu, Taranaki, Wellington, Hawkes Bay and Northland, divided into two divisions for the round robin tournament. Four games were played in each division each day. Each team played one game a day and in between games attended lectures and coaching sessions, covering tackling, passing and handling, kicking, scrummaging and defence play. The evening lectures included topics of role of a player, gear care, nutrition, weight training and fitness, injury care and laws of the game. There were 250 players and 50 administra" tors who lived in the

Army barracks. All concerned had to comply with the camp rules and regulations, which meant no person was allowed in the housing area, other barracks, clubs or Messes without permission, nor were they permitted to consume or purchase alcohol. All had to carry a camp pass, wear provincial tracksuits for day activities and a tie to evening meals. "There have been no discipline problems at all", said Don Wilson, a former test referee, State of Origin referee and the 3ZB rugby league commentator. Don is the Tournament Manager. "These boys respond very well to this environment of routine and regulations.

"The tournament is going very well. The players are learning good skills through the coaching clinics. These players are our top players of the future." "A hundred boys have indicated on the camp they want professional rugby as a career. Three or four of these players will be signing contracts within a few seasons." "There has been an inWaimarino Dart Club Ohakune came over for a visit and won 26 games to 12. Well done Ohakune. No other comments. Highest start, Dave 102, highest score B Drinkwater 156, highest finish H Parata 108. Raffle won by Allan Zohs.

crease of 20% in players from last year's tournament. We are becoming more competitive in the international arena. One of the reasons for this is because the rugby league has advisers in all league organisations. These advisers are called development officers, and are highly trained professionals that are employed to develop the game at the junior level", said Don.

Wayne Longley, the tournament controller said he was also impressed by the improved standard. "The smaller league clubs are improving and are catching up to the major league clubs. This makes for better competition." Division A winners were Auckland, 2nd Bay of Plenty, 3rd Canterbury. Division B winners were Wellington, 2nd Hawkes Bay.