Ballarat Rugby Club is calling on all interested players to pull the boots on and hit the field.
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After a difficult 2018 season in the Victoria Club Rugby championship competition, in which Ballarat forfeited six times throughout the 15-round season.
A combination of injury and players moving for work ‘decimating’ the club.
All this just two years after the club lifted the premiership cup in the division.
But president Patrick Quigley and coach Carl Thin are passionate about getting the club to where they believe it belongs.
“We saw the club just staring to struggle last year,” Quigley said.
“What we’re trying to do is ensure that those lads that are leaving St Patrick’s College, people who are new to the Ballarat community who are from rugby playing areas...that they all have a place to go play rugby.”
But the club’s bid to rejuvenate is not limited to the senior men’s team. Quigley said the club would look to field a women’s team, adding rugby was the fastest growing women’s sport in Australia, masters team and junior sides to ensure the club’s longevity and make it the go-to club for all rugby players in the region.
“My ambition is to have a strong senior men’s side that can compete for premierships regularly and we have a seconds side. Also a veterans or masters side and then we have a really strong junior division that feeds into those, and a really strong women’s side.
“As part of that we want to welcome girls to the club.
“The juniors is also another program we’re running out...(that way I think) you’re guaranteeing yourself survival.”
Quigley believed there was plenty of interest out there in the community, whether it be from players who have previously played or interested members that were unaware of the Ballarat club.
And he felt the option for senior players would entice a few players back and break the stereotype of rugby being a young man’s game.
“We really want to drive it forward. It gives people another choice outside of AFL and soccer.
“I don’t necessarily agree with this, but It’s seen as a young blokes sport.”
The club is welcoming any players wishing to register or come along and get a taste of it. The first training session of pre-season will be held on January 22 at Doug Dean Reserve from 7pm.
The Rattas season will begin in April with a registration night coming up, the date to be confirmed on their Facebook page – Ballarat Rugby.