Young Rugby League’s 10th annual Masters will be held this weekend at Keith Cullen oval with the event expected to be bigger than ever before.
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With only days to go until the competition kicks off organiser Geoff Hill is ready for players and spectators to enjoy the huge weekend.
“When the carnival first started in 2009 with 12 teams we did not think that 10 years later we would still be playing and with 10 more teams,” Hill said.
When the carnival first started in 2009 with 12 teams we did not think that 10 years later we would still be playing and with 10 more teams.
- Geoff Hill
According to Hill this year five teams traveling to the competition will have played in each Young Rugby League Masters carnival over the past decade.
The Adelong Bearly Actives, Far South Coast/Bega, Grenfell Dinosauras, ACT Valley Dragons and the Cherryatrics have taken part in all 10 of the carnivals held in the town over the past 10 years.
“A number of teams will have to wait until the next couple of years to have played in 10 carnivals,” Hill said.
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This year’s carnival has had a huge response with 22 teams signing up to take on the challenge including Adelong, Far South Coast, Mossvale, Grenfell, Canberra/Queanbeyan areas, Penrith, Bowral, Illawarra, Murringo, Koorawatha, Batemans Bay, Orange as well as teams from across the local area.
With the event growing from strength to strength each and every year it is also benefiting the local community.
“Accommodation is all booked out and at this stage, we have over 350 players registered to play, along with family and friends coming along,” Hill said.
The weekend will kick off on Friday night when the major sponsor for the weekend, the Young Services Club, will host a meet and greet event.
On Saturday morning each side will play two games kicking off at 9am.
“Saturday night we will have a dinner for around 350 people at the Young Services Club where we will give out over $5000 in prize money in a draw out of the hat,” Hill said.
Play won’t have finished for the men though with each side taking on one more match up before the fourth annual City vs Country Masters game. Games on Sunday are expected to be finished by 1pm when all 22 teams will head home and start preparing for the 11th Young Rugby League Masters in 2019.
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“The Young carnival is know as the second largest Masters carnival behind the Gold Coast and each year at that carnival Young is well mentioned as a great carnival to attend,” Hill said. “As with all major events we could not do this without our great sponsors and most have been involved for the last 10 years. Our Sponsors for the event are the Young Services Club, Harden Geelan Holden, Australian Hotel, Sutherland’s Welding and Fabrication, South West Tractors, Delta Agribuisness, Sports Power, Woolfords Plumbing, Steve Rudd Building, South West Slopes Credit Union, PJ's Fast Foods, Donges Supa IGA, Terry Bros Carpet Court, Young Smash Repairs and Activ8.”
Hill said anyone interested in watching the Young Rugby League Masters competition is invited to head to Keith Cullen Oval on Saturday and Sunday where they can watch some fantastic match ups as well as have a laugh at some of the players running around.
“We must also thank the parks and garden staff at Hilltops Council for the condition of the grounds as they are nice and soft which is very user friendly for the players,” Hill said.
Get down to Keith Cullen Oval from 9am on Saturday to support the Cherryatrics in their 10th year playing in the Masters.
