Illawarra Junior U18′s Heading for Sydney in 2022

By Ron Wood

Planning is very much advanced toward the inclusion of an IDRU Juniors U18 side in the Sydney Junior Competition in 2022. IDRU Junior Chairman, Harvey Cole recently outlined the ongoing plans for the side to compete in the Sydney Juniors Open Grade competition. The purpose of this exercise is to provide Under 18 players an opportunity to play Rugby where at the moment this opportunity does not exist.

It has been some time since Illawarra Rugby has been able to conduct a Colts competition in the Illawarra region with an alarming drop off in player numbers after the Under 16 age group. It is hoped that this squad will provide the opportunity for young players to continue their Rugby career in the Illawarra and eventually advance to Grade football with their local club sides.

Team coordinator Ryan McIlwaine advises that about 40 players have expressed interest in joining the squad with nominations coming from Kiama, Avondale, Tech Waratahs, Shamrocks, Bowral and Camden. The team is an IDRU Juniors club side and as such all comers are welcome to join regardless if they are a representative player or not. Members of the team will be required to trial for the IDRU Under 18’s Representative Squad just like any other player.

The first muster for the squad will be held on Sunday 14th November at Stuart Park in Wollongong at 12 Noon.  A BBQ will be held on the day giving players a chance to meet Coach Rob Heritage who has coached several Illawrrior Junior Representative sides in recent years. Training will commence in December focusing on off-season conditioning for the players. Several Trial Matches have also been organized for February and March 2022.

Substantial sponsorship has been secured for the team with Worldwide Demolitions to be the major Team Sponsor with several minor sponsors also on board.

For further details and all enquiries regarding the Team, contact Team Coordinator Ryan McIlwaine on 0419 483344 or IDRU Junior Chairman Harvey Cole.