BRONCOS
Just when you thought the Rugby League Season was all over, the Broncos are heading to the shores of New Zealand for a visit sponsored by UnitedNetworks. The club’s senior coaching staff, players and managers are coming to Wellington to coach junior Rugby League Players.
In an initiative started by Bill Sharp from Wainuiomata High School Sports Academy, the Brisbane Broncos will be running player strength, conditioning and skills clinics at the High School Academy on Monday, 17 November 2003. A Coaches Update will also be available, with coaches as far afield as the Hawkes Bay and Taranaki attending.
Bill Sharp said, “I have visited them [the Broncos] over the last three years to watch training sessions and decided I would like to have some of their expertise at our Academy.” Bill went on to say” with the help of local Rugby League stalwart Peter Mellars they have agreed to come over and run a coach and player clinic to help our up and coming [league] players. It’s fantastic!”
The Broncos are currently looking to award two scholarships with the West Panthers, which could ultimately lead to a Broncos contract for a couple of local youth.
The UnitedNetworks sponsored trip is a dream come true for Bill, who over the years has managed to get many top sporting sides to Wainuiomata High School. Bill recently had the Breakers Basketball team visit the academy.
Broncos Corporate Public Relations consultant Chris Johns and Broncos Recruitment Manager Cyril Connell visited the Wainuiomata Academy earlier this year and were very impressed with what they saw, which helped secure this visit.
Members of the Broncos touring party are a who’s who of Rugby League. Coach Wayne Bennett and former Kangaroos Chris Johns, Gary Belcher and Kevin Walters are among the stars taking part. Current Broncos players Shaun Berrigan and rising star Brett Seymore will also attend to take part with the training session.
The other touring party members Are Broncos Football manager Paul Bunn, and Broncos Juniors coordinator John Dixon. John is also the 2004 coach of the Toowoomba Clydesdales, which is the feeder club for the Broncos.
The group will speak at various events such as a breakfast at the New Zealand Academy of Sport – Central for high performance coaches, and a Regional Sports Association lunch to be held at Sport Wellington Region.” He went on to say “We have had a lot fun putting their itinerary together while here in Wellington”.
Other duties/functions planned for their visit are a grassroots coaching session for Upper Hutt 13/14yr olds, a visit to the Hutt Valley Riding for the Disabled in Silverstream, and a Cocktail function hosted by Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy to raise funds for Junior Rugby League.
The tour group heads to Christchurch and then Australia after the Wellington leg of their visit.