Oakey Bears reduce fees to zero in bid attract more junior players

A small country rugby league club is letting players sign up for free in a bid to save multiple teams from collapsing in a crisis that has gripped one of the game’s heartlands.

A small country rugby league club is letting players sign up for free in a bid to save multiple teams from collapsing.

Nestled in the heartland of Queensland rugby league, Oakey Bears have been struggling to field teams in some Toowoomba Junior Rugby League age divisions for the past few seasons.

Bears president Greg Ryan said the club is at a loss when it comes to solving the issue.

“In the past few seasons we’ve struggled in the under-13 and under-15 girls and now we’re seeing it some of the boys teams now as well.

“We’ve seen some of those young girls go to other clubs and their brothers go with them which is completely understandable, we get that, we support it because it makes sense for everyone the parents especially.

“We’re at a loss though when it comes to retaining players and bringing new ones in though.

“Everyone is working so hard to make it happen.”

With more than 80 per cent of players using Fair Play vouchers to sign for the club over the past few seasons, Ryan understands financial pressures naturally weigh heavy on the minds of parents and guardians.

Oakey Bears juniors prepare for Toowoomba Junior Rugby League match.

Oakey Bears juniors prepare for Toowoomba Junior Rugby League match.

However the passionate volunteer, who took on the Bears presidency role this season, is urging people to get behind a club with a simple goal of putting its young players first.

“We just want to provide kids the chance to play footy,” he said.

“Winning is great and kids love that but our first focus is to give them (kids) the chance to play.

“We think the best way to grow and develop is to play footy.

“Over the past season or so we’ve worked on strengthening the ties between our seniors and juniors – we need each other to grow.

“We have some amazing people at the club. A-grade players like Tony Clevin coach some of our juniors, Ash Taylor does the same.

“Ex-NRL player Mark Tookey comes up from the Gold Coast to help our coaches and coach juniors as well.

“It’s all there we just need the players.”

Last Saturday, May 3, marked the first time this season the Bears were able to field an under-17 girls with the help of ‘permitted’ players from other clubs.

Ryan said they will not give up the fight though despite their player number struggles.

“We will keep doing everything we can,” he said.

“That’s why we made the decision to pretty much waive fees – to let new players sign up without having to pay rego or insurance so we can bring players in.”

Any parents, male or female players interested in joining the Bears can contact them via their Facebook page.

Originally published as Oakey Bears reduce fees to zero in bid attract more junior players