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CLUB REPORT - The Quest for the 2010 NSW Cup
Dear Members of the Magpie Fraternity,
On behalf of all associated with the Western Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club, (The Mighty Magpies) may we extend to all of our Members, supporters and their families our best wishes for the New Year and may 2010 bring happiness, good health and success for one and all. By the time you have the opportunity to read this article, the dawn of a new rugby league season is well and truly upon us with all grades within the club back from a well earned but brief Christmas and New Year break.
The first task on the agenda for all grades is fitness testing to update the coaching staff on where each of the players are at in respect of their levels of fitness, particularly given the temptations of the Christmas and New Year celebration period. It will be interesting to learn how many players have adhered to the advice provided to them prior to breaking before Christmas in respect of maintaining an acceptable level of fitness whilst also taking the opportunity to enjoy the spoils of the festive season!
Both the Harold Matthews Cup (Under 16’s) and the S G Ball Cup (Under 18’s) District Junior Representative Squads under the astute guidance of Head Coaches, Scott Hartas and Derek McVey respectively will have to hit the ground running upon their return to preseason training as official trails for both grades will commence on the weekend of 23 January 2010 with the competition proper in both cases scheduled to kickoff on the weekend of the 13 February 2010.
It has always been a concern of the club that the NSWRL District Junior Representative Squad competitions commence too early in the year whilst the heat is still excessive and in some cases stifling. Certainly conditions are not conducive to playing a vigorous contact sport such as rugby league however despite concerns that are continually expressed to the governing body, the practice of scheduling competitions to commence in the month of February continues and what is most disconcerting is that each year, the commencement date of the competitions continues to creep forward. By way of example, last season the competition commenced on the 21 February 2009 whilst this year, they will kickoff a week earlier on the 13 February 2010.
Nevertheless we will be kicking off on Saturday 13 February 2010 with our opening encounter for both the Harold Matthews and S G Ball Cup Squads being a home fixture against the visiting Canberra Raiders. Unfortunately due to the unavailability of Campbelltown Stadium for the entirety of the NSWRL District Junior Representative Competitions due to major upgrades being concluded to the facility, a venue for our Junior Representative home fixtures is in the process of being finalized. Once a decision has been taken on a venue, details will be published on the clubs official website, www.westsmagpies.net
The NSW Cup Squad, the senior team of the club have also returned to pre season training to pick up where they left off prior to the Christmas break. Under the watchful eye of the clubs Head Coach, Leo Epifania and his coaching support team, the NSW Cup Squad were impressive in their training performances prior to Christmas. In particular, the new recruits to the club all seem to have settled in very quickly and are proving to be a source of inspiration to our mainstay playing group. We are extremely pleased with our off season recruitment drive having brought to the club a number of new faces which will strengthen the senior playing roster considerably in a number of areas adding value both on and off the field. Players such as Alex Ranieri from St George Illawarra, Andrew Pearn from the Penrith club and James Sharkey from the Queensland Cup just to name a few will feature prominently in our plans for the 2010 season.
You can be assured that the tempo will be lifted significantly between now and the start of the 2010 NSW Cup competition to ensure the Magpies are fit and raring to go for their first competition match which will be against the North Sydney Bears on Saturday 13 March 2010 to be played at Henson Park, Marrickville with kickoff scheduled for 3pm. This will be the first match of a double header scheduled for the afternoon at Henson Park with the Newtown Jets opposed to the Balmain Tigers which will be the second match of the afternoon kicking off at 5pm.
This will form the first of three rounds for the inaugural Foundation Cup to be contested by all four remaining Foundation Clubs in the NSW Cup Competition which comprises Western Suburbs, Newtown, Balmain and North Sydney. The first three rounds of the NSW Cup Competition will feature the Foundation Clubs pitted against each other to determine who will contest the final of the Foundation Cup later during the competition.
The New South Wales Rugby League are excited about the concept and will focus attention on the Foundation Cup as being one of the highlights of the 2010 competition which will continue for years to come. The fact that your club, the Mighty Magpies, one of the remaining Foundation Clubs will feature prominently in this marquee event on the NSWRL calendar is something that everyone should be very proud and excited about particularly that this concept was put forward by the Magpies and given the nature of the event, it is hoped that many of the Magpie faithful will get behind the club and turn out at the fixtures during the season to support your team as we strive to be inaugural winners of the Foundation Cup!
The 2010 season will also see the release of a new and exciting range of quality merchandise which will be available through Wests Ashfield Leagues Club and direct from the Football Club office. There is sure to be something to please and attract the attention of everyone so keep a lookout both at the club when you visit and on our website at www.westsmagpies.net to view our entire range which we expect will be released during March 2010.
As another rugby league season draws near, there is a lot to look forward to and to be excited about as the Magpies embark upon their 102nd season. Hopefully you will take the opportunity to get to as many games as possible throughout the season to support your team and certainly I would welcome the opportunity of catching up with you at the games.
As always and until next we meet or correspond, MAGPIES FOREVER!!
Kind Regards
Kevin Hammond
CHAIRMAN/ GENERAL MANAGER
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