Try Time stalwart up for award

FOR three years, Barry Costa has been the co-ordinator of Brothers Penrith Junior Rugby Leagues Club’s Try Time program.

Barry Costa runs the Try Time program. Picture: Matthew Sullivan

FOR three years, Barry Costa has been the co-ordinator of Brothers Penrith Junior Rugby Leagues Club’s Try Time program.

Mr Costa put his hand up to run the weekly exercise for children with disabilities in 2013, after he saw how it worked at Wentworthville Junior Rugby League Club.

“We started off with seven players. In the second year, we had 11, and this year, we have 16 or 17,” Mr Costa said.

The South Penrith resident said working with the boys had been rewarding

Barry Costa at work with his Try Time squad.

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“Where possible, I like to see kids play sport, and this is a great opportunity,” he said.

“If you could see these boys when they started three years ago, to where they are now with ball skills, they are absolutely amazing.”

A lifetime member of the club, former rugby league player and Vietnam veteran, Mr Costa is a nominee for the Service to Sport category in the 2016 Junior Sports Star competition.

He uses drills, tackling bags and pump pads to train the boys, aged six to 18.

Barry Costa is hoping to get a Try Time competition running.

But Mr Costa said they only play non-contact, two-handed touch football.

“Of these boys, 99 per cent are rugby league fanatics, so they think they are playing a (proper game),” he said.

Mr Costa said last year, Quakers Hill Junior Rugby League Club became the third to take on Try Time.

“We are trying to get some other clubs on board, and maybe get a little bit of a competition going,” he said.

Barry Costa says his team have developed great skills.