The first rugby union team in Deniliquin for decades, the side will make their competition debut against Hillston tomorrow.
Round one games will be held at Ivanhoe.
The Hillston Bluebirds are favourites to be this year’s big improvers, the same way the Barellan Rams were the big improvers of 2024.
Hillston had a full side at the knockouts held a fortnight ago, but lacked a little cohesiveness.
With a few more training runs, they should get it together for this game.
New coach Tommy Brettschneider has a heap of players turn up to play for him, and they look the best they have in years.
Deniliquin turned up with some good numbers at the knockout as well.
They took a few games to get it together, with a much improved showing against Ivanhoe.
This is their first full game though, and face a big trip up the Cobb Highway - 334km.
The cup competition kicks off after a shake-up in the draw for the women’s competition during the week.
Unfortunately, the Narrandera Lizards women’s side had to pull out of this year’s season due to a lack of numbers, unable to get back on their feet after also pulling out of the knockout.
The change to the draw will see the women’s teams only play four games for the season, with one bye each and two general bye rounds at Deniliquin and Narrandera, after the clubs voted for the shorter draw over an unfair draw.
The draw was redone to follow the men’s draw as closely as possible.
Referees have also indicated that they will be stricter on the safeplay code the competition plays under this season, with perhaps too many things let go in past seasons.
All players are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the safeplay code, and abuse will not be tolerated from the sidelines either.
With the land so dry, many of the rural clubs will have players on tractors, so hopefully all teams can manage to pull sides together.
As hosts of round one, Ivanhoe has organised for it to be an indigenous round.
Ivanhoe will be wearing a one-off indigenous strip designed by Carolyn Williams, and the Marrambidya dance group will perform.
Other games this weekend are as follows:
Men’s: Barellan v Narrandera; Ivanhoe v Goolgowi.
Women’s: Hillston v Barellan; Ivanhoe v Goolgowi.
~ Jamie Parsons is the publicity officer for the ProTen Community Cup.
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