League legends, locals fighting to rescue famous Junee footy club
Junee has produced some of the most recognisable names in rugby league but the town is facing the devastating collapse of its 93-year-old footy club.
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Three rugby league legends are helping to rescue a famous bush club.
The Junee Diesels were founded in 1926 but are playing their toughest match yet.
The quaint, friendly Riverina town which produced Laurie Daley, Jason Lidden, Mick Dobson, Adam Perry and legendary commentator Ray “Rabbits” Warren — Don Furner also coached there in 1966 — is facing the devastating collapse of its rugby league club because of a lack of players.
After struggling to field senior sides this year and forfeiting games, amalgamation is hanging ominously over this proud 93-year-old Group Nine club but the locals are fighting with typical country pluck to keep alive the club that wears royal blue and gold.
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Last Friday they received some influential help when Daley, former Kangaroos Craig Wing and Steve “Beaver” Menzies, and The Daily Telegraph flew to Junee to spread the bush footy gospel.
The trio spoke to around 100 boys and girls from Junee High School about playing for the Diesels. They threw a footy around, took selfies and signed autographs.
Hours later they attended Junee’s presentation night at the Ex-Services Memorial Club, where they preached to the 80-strong audience about the benefits, rewards and mateship that come with playing country footy.
Afterwards, they shared a few beers and laughs with the locals.
However, there was no hiding from the cold, hard facts. Unless playing numbers improve, the Diesels may be doomed and a town of 4700 people left shattered.
Junee’s junior grades are solid but senior numbers have dropped away.
“We have been really short in numbers, which affects the canteen and gates,” club president Simon Van Zanten said. “It’s been a bit of a struggle.
“There is still the realistic chance of merging if we can’t get some of our local boys to play in the senior ranks. There is a risk of merging.
“That would be the saddest day in rugby league for this town. It’s hard to contemplate that but we hope it will all work out for the better.
“Bringing guys like Laurie, Steve and Craig here is a dream come true for us when we’re trying to shore up our future.”
Daley is hellbent on ensuring his junior club survives and thrives.
“This club has a proud history and we want to get kids back playing,” said Daley, who played in Junee’s last premiership win in 1986. “The Riverina and Group Nine need a strong Junee.
“It’s a matter of re-engaging the kids and letting them know what rugby league can do.
“Bush footy clubs bring people and the community together and that’s so important in a small town like Junee. We need more numbers at the top end.”
Wing praised the type of player produced in the country.
“Of all the players I played with, the bushies were usually the better ones and the tougher ones,” he said.
“The community gets around the local footy club in the bush.”
Menzies knows what’s at stake.
“We need to do all we can to promote the game in country regions and get kids playing,’’ he said. “Bush footy is an important part of our history.
“You only have to look at the number of country players who go on to play in the NRL. It’s sad to think that potentially Junee won’t have a club.
“But there are positive vibes here today about getting guys and girls to play and to keep the club alive.”
BUSH FOOTY BLOW
Group 11 has been reduced to just seven teams after Dubbo Westside was dumped from the competition.
The Rabbitohs may now be forced into extinction.
Dubbo Westside was told their fate at Group 11’s AGM due to a lack of numbers, particularly in the under 18s age group, where the club was forced to forfeit games this season.
Group 11 board members and rival clubs would not agree to Dubbo Westside competing in next season’s competition.
Dubbo Westside folded mid-season but had hoped to return for 2020.
The NSWRL is aware of the decision.
Originally published as League legends, locals fighting to rescue famous Junee footy club
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