https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/call-for-help-norths-issue-sos-for-more-senior-players/news-story/972fb966f3dd037fc6f3b5592d84ae35 A PLAYER shortage has Norths Devils fighting to remain in the Townsville A-grade rugby league competition. But the club has refused to throw in the towel. As it stands the Devils, who are celebrating the club’s 10th anniversary, are unable to field both an A-grade and reserve grade side. Earlier this week the club took to social media and issued an SOS for players to strengthen their ranks. The TDRL said they will have until round one starts on the last weekend of March to finalise their teams. Incoming Norths coaching director Karl Adams said, should numbers not improve, a decision closer to the time would be made on which team was registered based on the talent available.
But he was quietly confident the club will be able to play both sides, based on conversations he has had with outside talent and the calibre of athletes he had seen in the burgeoning under-19s ranks. “I honestly think a few of our lower grades like the under-19s are at a standard where they could be introduced into the A grade football throughout the year,” Adams said. “The development for them would be great and for them to take that back to their own age group would do a lot for them as individuals.” TDRL chairman Ross Anderson said numbers across the competition had picked up in the past week, and a number of factors — such as the season starting later — had contributed to stagnant signings in the early days. Despite the Devils’ short history in the TDRL, the talent has never been questioned. Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt was a Devils junior, and in December young gun lock Preston Cassidy was scouted for a Brisbane Broncos training camp. Work commitments, family life, retirements and players moving to other clubs have diminished the senior numbers this season — with only “about four or five” signing back on from the 2019 campaign. Adams only joined the club this season, but he brings with him a wealth of experience in harnessing the grassroots of the game and building towards senior teams. A former NRL development officer in the Cape and Torres Strait, the new coaching director also founded Far North Queensland club Weipa Raiders 11 years ago. He said long term success would be determined on the culture established at the junior levels, but they were exploring several avenues to strengthen the senior program for 2020. “There is obviously your link with your juniors, once they get to a certain age group you don’t want them going to a different club when they leave juniors,” Adams said. “It’s building that culture within the club so players want to play there once they are senior. “But the recruitment stuff, for the immediate future you definitely have to try recruit some players. “I don’t want to say too much because it has to go through a meeting, but I’ve looked at offering people that opportunity to come and play at a club where they may not get the same opportunity where they’re from.” It is understood the club’s committee met last night to discuss plans to keep the season alive.
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AuthorI covered a vast range of sports and issues in my time with the Bulletin. Archives
June 2020
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