Canberra Raiders Cup News

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From today's CT:

Scholars by the book to earn competition berth

The North Belconnen Scholars will make their debut in next year's Canberra Raiders Cup after finding a home ground and winning financial backing.

Canberra rugby league officials welcomed the side into the first-grade competition last week, two days after the Scholars held their first training session.

It is good news for the Scholars who have been working tirelessly since the end of the 2005 season to meet the league's requirements.

Club director Jason Jennings said it had been a long and drawn out process but was well worthwhile.

"There have been plenty of hoops and hurdles that we've had to overcome," he said yesterday.

"Thankfully the Tradesman's clubs have backed us financially, without them we would never have got there, and we had to go and negotiate with the [Canberra] Raiders to get into Northbourne Oval [in Braddon], where our home ground is going to be."

"So it has been everything from the financial side and getting a home ground to getting players."

Originally the club, previously playing in the George Tooke Shield, was only going to enter first and reserve grades into the Cup, but has decided to put in an under-18s team as well.

Scholars first-grade captain-coach Richie Allan was surprised by how many players turned up to the team's first training session last Tuesday at the University of Canberra playing fields.

"I was a bit scared at first at how thing would turn out, but now that we've started training and I've seen the positive roll up we've had, then it just gets more exciting each day," the former West Belconnen Warrior said.

"We've still for two more training sessions this week. We have enough to field a full side in first grade but more people are always welcome to come along, the more the merrier."

During their time in the George Tooke Shield, which is a tier below the Canberra Raiders Cup, the Scholars played at the University of Canberra. But part of the Cup requirement was to have an enclosed oval. Allan was happy with the club's new home at Northbourne Oval.

"I have played there a few times and it's a pretty good oval. I think it's probably one of the best in Canberra and for us it's really good because it's pretty central and we have players from all around Canberra."

The Scholars take the number of teams in the cup up to eight and fill a void left by the Goulburn Stockmen, who withdrew after the 2004 season. Jennings hoped the club would develop a fun atmosphere at its games and its inclusion in the Cup would help to raise the quality of local rugby league. "We really hope that we can strengthen the Canberra Cup, as well as promote rugby league in the community. We're going to try to have a real park atmosphere at the ground with jumping castles and face painting and everything.

"We want there to be another option for kids playing league.

The Canberra Raiders Cup is expected to kick off in mid-April. People interested in joining the Scholars can get more information on 0408621613.