An important development for rugby league in the Tuggeranong Valley is emerging in 2024, with the four Tuggeranong based clubs establishing a collaborative partnership to improve awareness of rugby league within the region.
Under the initiative this year, all male players in the under 15s and girls registered for girls-only competitions from the Tuggeranong Buffaloes, Valley Dragons, and South Tuggeranong Knights, will compete under one unified banner as the Tuggeranong Bushrangers.
This partnership aims to encourage and facilitate opportunities for increased participation of male international and female age groups by streamlining registrations for the nominated age groups, while also clearly defining a pathway from junior to senior rugby league in the Tuggeranong Valley.
In the development of the agreement, the four Tuggeranong clubs emphasised the importance of allowing players to continue to compete under their junior banner, honouring the heritage and identity of their junior clubs before combining to enter the Bushrangers pathway.
The agreement encompasses a three-year implementation plan before it is in full effect, with an option of extension.
Starting from 2024, all girls registered to play in the girls only competitions will play under the Tuggeranong Bushrangers brand. Regarding the boys, integration will commence with the under 15s this year, progressing with the 15s and 16s the following year, and culminating in the integration of under 15s, 16s, and 17s boys in 2026.
Tuggeranong Buffaloes Coaching Coordinator Jason Hall believes that this partnership will not only benefit the players and coaches, but also help preserve rugby league in the Tuggeranong Valley.
“We want to combine the depth that we have in players and talent, coaching staff, volunteers, and really bring all that together under one umbrella to strengthen not only rugby league but also the Tuggeranong community,” Hall said.
Tuggeranong Bushrangers Secretary Grace Hayes said that “aside from keeping rugby league in the Tuggeranong Valley strong, one of the main benefits this collaboration will bring is the ability for the senior players to work closely with the juniors, mentoring the young talent coming through and aiding for a smooth transition from junior to senior footy”.
Tuggeranong Bushrangers Katrina Fanning Shield player and junior girls Valley Dragons Coach Nirvana Ngan-Woo spoke to the importance of defining a clear pathway for girls in the Tuggeranong Valley.
“When I first got into coaching, a lot of the young girls didn’t know about the pathway to seniors, but as they started to come to my KFS games and see us senior girls play, it’s created a link for them, and now they’re keen to further their career, which wasn’t so much the case a few years ago,” Ngan-Woo said.
Players interested in participating in this new and exciting initiative should continue to register at playrugbyleague.com with their current/preferred club for the upcoming 2024 season.
If you require more information, please contact:
Buffaloes Secretary, Maddie: <buffaloes.secretary@gmail.com>
Dragons Secretary, Amy: <secretary@valleydragons.com.au>
Knights Secretary, Kristen: <southtuggeranongsecretary@gmail.com>
