Positive Rugby state titles at Concord, Narrabeen, Central Coast, Camden, Dubbo, Orange, Hunters Hill

There’s increased interest from interstate and numbers are on the rise with 4000 plus expected to play. Here’s the masterplan, venues and dates for the 2021 Positive Rugby state championships.

Amanda Lulham

@amandalulham

3 min read

February 21, 2021 - 2:55PM

NewsLocal

Junior rugby players at state championships.

Manly

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COVID shut down last year’s events across the state with every host club from 2020 now re-awarded the Positive Rugby state championships for 2021.

NSW Juniors Rugby President Ben Gregory has estimated around 4000 players from across the state will be involved in the 2021 state championships for the u12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 18 age groups.

“All were cancelled last year because of COVID so we have committed to the same venues and the host clubs. We felt we owed it to them,” Gregory said.

Tournaments will be held across Sydney and into the country with both Dubbo and Orange hosting events.

Here’s a breakdown of where the tournaments will be played, the rep opportunities for young players and teams selected from the state championships for boys and girls.

Dates and venues have been confirmed for Positive Rugby state championships. Pic: Supplied.

U10/U11 – Tuggerah Sports Complex, Central Coast Juniors) Jul 3-4, 2021

The u10s and 11s will play together at the one joint tournament at Tuggerah and sponsored by Central Coast juniors, which Gregory said proved a big hit when run this way in 2019. “The boys and parents had support from within their own districts and it became a fun festival of rugby,” he said.

“Everyone wanted to be their for enjoyment.

“There were no trophies up for grabs but we had each district’s teams supporting each other.

“At one venue we had 5000 people.

Gregory said more that 60 teams are expected at this event.

“It’s development and getting the kids and families used to what rugby is about,” he said.

The Hunter under 13s. The boys competitions will be played on the same weekend. Pic: Supplied.

U12 – Camden Rugby Park, Camden Rugby, Jun 12-14

The under 12s will be held at Camden which has been running the event for a number of years.

“The state champs is the highlight of the representative year for them,” Gregory said.

“We get quite a bit of interest from Melbourne clubs.”

Finals for a trophy are played and a state champion team is named but there are no other rep teams selected in the age group.

U13 – Dubbo’s Apex Oval, Dubbo Roos, Jun 12-14

The under 13s will be hosted at Dubbo.

“The Dubbo Roos will be our hosts and there’s support form the Dubbo regionals council,” Gregory said.

“They want to bring big events to Dubbo.

“In both the 13s and 12s I would anticipate between 16 to 20 teams.”

Finals for a trophy are played and a state champion team is named but there are no other rep teams selected in the age group.

Dates and venues have been confirmed for rugby state championships, including the girls events. Pic: Supplied.

U14 – Orange’s Endeavour Field – Orange Emus, Jun 12-14

Orange will again host the u14s competition.

“We have been really well supported there,” Gregory said.

“The Orange Emus and Orange City take it in turns and this time it’s at the Emus.”

This tournament will also see participants in the schools students scholarship referee program homing their skills.

“The young refs do the refereeing there, it’s part of their program.”

A Country and Sydney u14s teams will be chosen to play at regionals later in this year.

The Central West under 14s. The Positive Rugby championships were cancelled last year due to COVID-19.

U15 – Concord’s St Lukes Ovals – West Harbour Juniors, Jun 12-14

The Under 15s will be played at St Luke’s ovals and hosted by West Harbour Juniors.

This is an important tournament where young players are seen by various selectors and have a real chance to impress and get their name out.

The event will also be part of the selection for Sydney and Country squads. Country players will then vie for NSW Country selection.

From the state title Sydney Junior Rugby Union will selected four rep teams which will go on to contest the Regionals alongside the NSW Country side.

The Regionals are a selection trial for the Sydney u15 team.

U16 – North Narrabeen Reserve/Rat Park – Narrabeen Juniors, Jun 12th-14

U18 – North Narrabeen Reserve/Rat Park – Narrabeen Juniors, Jun 12-14

The u16s and u18s are run at the same venue and have attracted big interest from interstate.

“We are getting teams wanting to come from Melbourne and the bush for the u18s,” Gregory said.

Both the u16s and u18s tournament will be a selection event for various teams and squads, including Sydney and Country.

Further down the track Sydney U18 and Country U18s will play each other for the Michael Brial Cup NSW Country and Sydney U16s will compete for the Ella Cup.