Clovelly back in Eastern Suburbs JRL competition two decades on

The Clovelly Crocodiles junior rugby league side are ready to sink their teeth into their 100th season after their playing future was left under a cloud.

Clovelly Crocodiles junior players Nate Devereux, Bohi Maclean, Jack Bergan, Jameson Hinds and Drew Devereux are ready to play in the club’s 100th season in 2017. Picture: Danny Aarons.

The Clovelly Crocodiles junior rugby league side are ready to sink their teeth into their 100th season, with their youngest players back in the Eastern Suburbs junior competition for the first time in over two decades.

Players, parents and club management were left reeling after Souths Juniors decided to end a 22-year long agreement in October, leaving the Crocs’ playing future under a cloud.

“The Eastern Suburbs junior rugby league is back up and running,” Clovelly Crocodiles president Andrew Monaghan told Southern Courier.

“Our minis, aged between six and eight, will be run as part of that competition, with Waverley Oval most likely to become their home ground.

“The benefits are more rounds of rugby league, the same location and same timeslots every weekend. There will also be no games in middle of the June — July school holidays.”

Andrew Monaghan, President of the Clovelly Crocodiles with junior players Jack Bergan, Nate Devereux, Jameson Hinds, Drew Devereux and Bohi Maclean ahead of season 2017. Picture: Danny Aarons.

Sydney Roosters chief operating officer John Lee said the shift has united the four clubs under its banner — also including the Paddington Colts, Bondi United and St Charles — to ensure rugby league continues in the region.

“There have been fortnightly meetings for the past two months, and the spirit and co-operation, the way people have approached this has been excellent, culminating in the reformation of the ESJRL.

“It provides a great opportunity especially for the younger boys and girls ... we’re still working through the details, but we are going to design a very family-friendly draw.

“There’s a lot of promise and a lot of good will which is great especially around Christmas time.”

The mods, which ranges from under 9’s to under 12’s, will play in a new competition, which Mr Monaghan and Mr Lee both flagged as possibly being with the Balmain district.

Sydney Roosters CEO John Lee. Picture: Calum Robertson

If the plan was to go ahead, games would be played on a home and away basis at Burrows Park Clovelly and Lyne Park Rose Bay, with the grand final to be played at Leichhardt Oval.

“We hope to announce in January a new partnership in a neighbouring rugby league area — it could be Balmain, we are working cooperatively with them.”

Internationals will take to the field in the Sydney Combined competition as they have been for a few years, although 2017 will be the first year in that competition for the opens teams.

“We’re really looking forward to an exciting new year,” Mr Monaghan said.

“It’s a fresh start and we have a lot of work to do, but we’re confident we have an exciting set of competitions for the kids to play in.”

Waverley Oval is likely to become the home ground of the Clovelly Crocodiles’ minis teams when they play in the Eastern Suburbs Junior League in 2017. Synthetic turf was installed at the park in 2016. Picture: Carly Earl.

As for the break with Souths, Mr Monaghan said there were no hard feelings.

“We appreciate the help Souths have given us over the years, and look forward to taking on some great new challenges as we celebrate our 100 year anniversary.”

Mr Lee said it was all about kids loving to play for their club.

“The Juniors did a good job for 20 years and there was a rivalry between the Roosters and Rabbioths that will continue to hang around slightly.”

“It’s important that kids want to have fun and learn new skills and fall in love with the game — it’s tasked on all of us who work in rugby league that we provide that environment.”