Randwick Coogee Wombats U6s put footy title down to mateship
The coach of a champion under-6s rugby league team from Randwick and Coogee says the key behind his young team’s success this year was mateship.
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The coach of a champion under-6s rugby league team from Coogee and Randwick says the key behind his young team’s success this year was mateship.
The Coogee Randwick Wombats have been crowned champions of the South Sydney District Junior Rugby League under-6s division one competition, beating the Matraville Tigers 52-40 in their grand final earlier this month.
The Wombats are a Southern Courier Team of Excellence nominee for the 2019 Local Sports Stars Awards.
Wombats coach Shane Lloyd said two teams merged together to make a competitive side this year at the club and the children had all become good mates.
“All the kids here, we could tell they could play footy. They were all very passionate but it was just about letting them learn the little things of the game in their own time,” he said.
“And it was more of the friendships that they formed which meant the rest took care of itself.”
He said the players — which included his son — simply loved meeting together and throwing around a footy.
Not only did they take out the grand final but they also got to run out onto ANZ Stadium during the halftime of an NRL match this year, between South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Brisbane Broncos, to play one of their games.
The team consisted of 10 boys and one girl.
“It was awesome to have Lotti in the side,” Lloyd said.
“She has all the abilities that make a great rugby league player.”
Lloyd added she was a great leader on the field and didn’t mind bossing the boys around the paddock.
Lotti also won the Player of the Match Award in the grand final after starring in the big game.
Lloyd added a big thank you to all the parents, coaches and management who gave up their time to help make the season a great year.
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Jarad Ellery, coach of the Matraville Tigers under-6s which lost to the Wombats in the grand final, said four of his team had never played footy before.
“Coming from fourth sport, beating two favourites in the semi-finals to make the grand final is a massive achievement,” Ellery said.
“Congrats to the Wombats who were the better team on the day and finished the season with a well-deserved win. The sportsmanship shown by everyone at both clubs in the final is what rugby league is all about.”
The Local Sports Stars Awards recognise and reward talented athletes aged 18 and under across a wide range of sports, as well as the hardworking volunteers who keep associations running each weekend.
Categories include Junior Sports Star, Inspiration, Team of Excellence and Service to Sport.
Nominations close on August 31, so nominate someone now at localsportsstars.com.au/newslocal
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