Tannum Seagulls to join Rockhampton Rugby League under-19 competition

Wayne Warry was determined to have an under-19 rugby league team in action in season 2022. Find out the new team in the Rockhampton competition here.

Wayne Warry has kicked a major goal, helping drive the inclusion of a Tannum Seagulls team in the Rockhampton Rugby League’s under-19 competition.

But the clock is ticking.

Club president Warry said among the provisos from the RRL was that Tannum must provide a viable under-19 squad by March 14 which has him urging interested players to come forward now.

He said it was important for players from the Gladstone region to have this pathway into the senior ranks.

“The Gladstone Rugby League under-20 competition ended in 2018 and I’ve just watched players bleed away to other codes in numbers,” Warry said.

“We have under-17s who can make the step straight into reserve or A-grade but not everyone’s confident doing that.

“We need to be pushing this full bore. We’ve got a good under-17 comp here and if we can put together a strong under-19 team this year then maybe one or two other clubs might look at doing the same next year.

“If that’s the case, then there’s a chance that by 2025 we’re back to strength in that age group in Gladstone, which then feeds into our senior divisions.”

The Tannum under-19s will be part of a seven-team draw which also includes Rockhampton Brothers, Norths Chargers, Yeppoon Seagulls, Emu Park Emus, Fitzroy/Gracemere Sharks and Biloela.

A self-confessed “footy fanatic”, Warry said this was vital to keep Gladstone region players in the game.

“I’m looking at the big picture. I’m doing this for the game of rugby league,” he said.

“We’re looking for any eligible players in Gladstone and Tannum Sands who would like to be part of this team.

“Tannum can provide them with an opportunity to play under-19 football and they don’t have to leave the game at under-17.

Yeppoon Seagulls’ skipper Sam Holzheimer celebrates after his team won the Rockhampton Rugby League A-grade premiership last year.

“I don’t care what club they come from, I just happen to be aligned with Tannum.

“I don’t want to keep them, I just want to keep them in the game.”

Warry, a founding member of Tannum Seagulls, “lives and breathes” rugby league.

He is determined to field a competitive outfit in the RRL under-19 competition.

As well as players, he is now on the lookout for a coach to mentor the young charges. Anyone interested can contact him on 0458 268 054.

RRL operations manager Warren Heilig said he was excited to have Tannum involved in the under-19 division.

“After looking at their application they were asked to have a future strategy to help grow not only their club but rugby league across the Gladstone region,” he said.

“They agreed with the conditions immediately and their future looks bright and we hope to see them get bigger and stronger as a club.”

The RRL 2022 season kicks off on Saturday, April 2.