The Broulee Dolphins have kicked off the 2017 rugby union season and it is set to be their most successful yet. With the addition of Dusky Dolphins Mini Rugby and Access Rugby for players with additional needs to their repertoire, the club aims to open the game of rugby union up to all. As well as the two new junior programs, the club has entered five teams into the ACT Junior Rugby Union competition, where they will come up against the best that the ACT and Southern NSW has to offer.
The Dolphin’s newest recruits – the Under 10s, travelled to Canberra on Saturday to take on Marist College for their first match of the season. The team, who has only been training together since early March, took to the game of rugby with gusto, scoring seven tries to their opponents three. Their coach, Nooroa Katuke, was very proud of his team. "Although the outcome was in our favour, the best part of Saturday’s match was watching the players work together as a team and support each other”, he said. “We look forward to watching the team get stronger, as they continue to develop their game throughout the season” he added.
The Club’s other junior teams, played at home against some stiff opposition from St Edmunds College. Although they were unable to come away with a win, Jon Brady, the Dolphin’s Junior Vice President was very proud of the teams and the spirit with which they approached their matches: “We have three teams playing in the top division this year and look forward to seeing their rugby skills grow against the best teams Canberra has to offer ”. The season is also underway for the Dolphins’ two new junior rugby programs – Dusky Dolphins Mini Rugby and Access Rugby. The Friday night rugby programs have been well supported by the community with approximately 50 players from the ages of Under 4 to Under 9 taking part in the two programs. The Club is especially proud of its Access Rugby program which is a first for the ACT and Southern NSW region. The program aims to cater for players, who previously would not have been able to play the game of rugby due to their disability or additional needs. The program is skills based and non-contact and each player is supported by their own mentor, who assists them throughout the duration of the program. “It has been wonderful to watch the Access players enjoy the game of rugby” Brady said. “We would also like to thank all of our mentors, who have volunteered their time to support our Access players, allowing them to enjoy the game” he added.
Dusky Dolphins Mini Rugby and Access Rugby will continue this Friday night at 5.30pm at Captain Oldrey Park. Anyone interested is asked to contact Jon Brady on 0412766605 or Michelle Katuke on 0401820410. The Dolphins Junior sides will also be playing at Captain Oldrey Park this Saturday with games from 10.30am. It is sure to be a fantastic day of rugby.
Above – Broulee Dolphins Under 10s (L to R)
Top: Matilda Bell, Riley Campbell, Kiran Hutton, Will Grant, Logan Cross, Zane Brady
Bottom: Harrison Katuke, Lincoln Dell, Alex Cook, Jonathon Barbic, Jayden Sturgiss.
Absent: Brendan Wallace, Hayden Fairweather.
Above: Dolphins Access Rugby Players and Mentors (L to R)
Top: Lachie Creighton, Ian Filmer, Luke Campbell, Cooper Brady, Ethan Mass, Brumby Jack, Shane Mass, Broulee Dolphins yet to be named club mascot, Josh Cairney, Nathan Mass, Annabelle Smith, Sebastian Hughes, Archie Hadley. Bottom: Hunter Petrella, Zoe Brown, Andrew Lancaster, Jackson Baker, Charlotte Baker, Emma Brown.
