Positive Rugby’s City v Country junior carnival heading to Bathurst

Bathurst is an epicentre for top level junior sporting events after nabbing yet another major event - this time involving City v Country grudge matches.

The City v Country carnival throws the spotlight on the best rugby talent in the state.

Bathurst has secured yet another major sporting event for the area with the NSW Junior Rugby Union City v Country carnival to be played there later this year.

Bathurst is currently hosting the Australian under 15 hockey championships involving 23 teams and support staff from across the country.

Now the region will host the annual Positive Rugby Foundation NSWJRU City v Country Carnival in August.

One of junior rugby’s top events, this carnival throws the spotlight on the best young talent in the state and Australia’s future stars of the game.

The City v Country carnival throws the spotlight on the best rugby talent in the state.

The carnival will see the best boys and girls from city and country areas playing across seven age groups from under 14s and under 18s.

For older players it will be a chance to impress club scouts and NSW Waratahs coaches looking for the next generation of layers to put into the system.

“This is the best of the best from city and country playing,’’ said NSW Junior Rugby Union President Ben Gregory.

“All the Gen Blues will be there watching the boys. This is an event which shows how the guys perform at a higher level.’’

On Wednesday Bathurst Bulldogs Rugby Union Club and Bathurst Regional Council announced they will host the 2021 Positive Rugby Foundation NSWJRU City vs Country Carnival at Ann Ashwood Oval on August 1.

Jack Grant of the Waratahs hails from Orange.

Bathurst and surrounding areas have long been producing top rugby talent, including Australian sevens young gun Jakiya Whitfeld and old teammates Yool Yool and Hunter Ward who have been playing both Sevens and Shute Shield rugby in recent times.

New Waratah and Eastern Suburbs Shute Shield gun Jack Grant, the son of former Wallaby James, hails from Orange as does Wallaroos star Grace Hamilton.

Wallaroos star Grace Hamilton is a proud country player.

WHAT BATHURST MAYOR BOBBY BOURKE SAID

“Our city boasts some of the best sporting facilities this side of the mountains and hosting events such as the Positive Rugby Foundation NSWJRU City vs Country Carnival bolsters Bathurst’s reputation as a destination for large events,” said Bathurst mayor Bobby Bourke.

“We are proud to support this event and we are looking forward to welcoming the teams and their supporters to our region.

BATHURST BULLDOGS RUGBY CLUB TO HOST NSW JUNIOR RUGBY UNION CITY V COUNTRY GAME

Bathurst Bulldogs President Phil Newton said the club was look forward to hosting.

“We love being able to host events such as this. It represents the top of the Junior Rep pathway for many of our young players and to have it showcased on our home ground is simply terrific.’’

Gregory said Bathurst is a top venue to host the event.

“Bringing such games to our Country clubs is an important part of our process. We were last in Bathurst for this carnival back in 2015, and with such facilities as Ann Ashwood we just want to keep on coming back,’’ he said.

The City v Country carnival throws the spotlight on the best rugby talent in the state.

CITY AND NSW COUNTRY COMPETE FOR HISTORIC RUGBY TROPHIES

Teams will compete from the under 14s to the under 18s for historic trophies.

A number of these trophies are named after many well-known Central West Rugby personalities.

#U14 Boys – Tim Gavin Shield. U14 Girls – TBA

#U15 Boys – Steve Tuynman Cup

#U16 Boys – Ella Cup, U16 Girls – Mahalia Murphy Shield

#U18 Boys – Michael Brial Cup, U18 Girls – Grace Hamilton Shield