The inaugural Illawarra Rugby Under 13’s New Zealand Development Tour took place in 2008 and the 2009 tourists returned from their New Zealand tour to win the NSW Country Championships.
This tradition continues in 2010 with a nine (9) day tour by an Illawarra District Rugby Union Under 13’s Development Squad, which will include three (3) games against teams in the New Zealand’s South Island.
The 2010 tour squad is made up of twenty-five (25) players from clubs throughout the Illawarra including Woonona Shamrocks, TIGS-Uni (Wollongong), Wollongong Vikings, Camden, Kiama and Shoalhaven and seven (7) support staff.
Departing Australia on Monday 12th April 2010, the tourists will play the first of their games against the traditionally strong Christchurch Boys High School a day later on 13th April. This is followed by a game two days later on the 15th April against Kings High School in Dunedin. The third and last game of the tour is against the Wakatipu Rugby Club in Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital, on the 18th April. After a few thrill seeking days in Queenstown, the squad returns to Australia on 20th April.
Coach, Scott Lunney said that “since the tour squad was selected in October 2009 they have continued to train solidly throughout the summer in preparation for the tour and the boys are now looking forward to going overseas to play some hard rugby in the lead up to the NSW Country and NSW State Championships in coming months”.
He acknowledged that the tour would not have been possible without the support of the Illawarra District Rugby Union, the player’s home clubs, the squads fundraising endeavours and commitment of the selected boys and their families. The tours major sponsor is Peabody Energy’s Metropolitan Coal Mine at Helensburgh and Mr Lunney thanked them for their important contribution to the tour.
After the tour, the Illawarra District Rugby Union Under 13’s will take part in the NSW Country Championships in Lismore on the 8th & 9th May and the NSW State Championships over the June Long Weekend in Sydney.
