League boosted in North

ADF rugby league continues to increase its profile. Here, a Navy defender takes on his Army opponent at the interservice competition earlier this year. Photo by Michael Weaver.

Rugby League Rugby league has been given official approval by both Combined Australian Services Rugby League (CASRL) and the RAN Sports Council to become an official RAN sporting body. The innaugral RAN Rugby League AGM will be held Friday June 27 in the cinema at HMAS Waterhen commencing at 1100. All RANRL office bearers positions will be elected. All nominations for the following positions are to be forwarded to LCDR Sion Griffiths by COB Tuesday June 24 either by signal (mcd osu, for Etso), fax (02) 99262621 or email Sion.Griffiths@defence.gov.au - President - Vice President - Secretary - Treasurer - Business Development Officer - Marketing Manager - Public Relations Officer - National Team Manager - National Coach - Qld Regional Manager - Act Regional Manager - Vic Regional Manager - WA Regional Manger - NT Regional Manager - Fitness/Conditioning Coach - Strapper - Historical Collection Curator/Assets Manager/Web Manager Nominations should include a brief management and/or rugby league synopsis. The following agenda items will be included: - Election of new office bearers - Constitution - Official Patronage - Business Plan - 2003/2004 season program - Women’s rugby league Additional agenda items are to be forwarded to the above address. All interested personnel are welcome to attend. Drinks will be at the Union Hotel on completion.

RUGBY LEAGUE
ADF rugby league received a significant boost recently, with the announcement that THIESS and ADCU, would be the major supporters of the Northern Defenders, NQ’s tri service rugby league team.

The team recently took delivery of a new playing strip, courtesy of THEISS and ADCU.

“The degree of support shown by THEISS and ADCU is not only a vote of confidence for the team, but also is an acknowledgment that ADF rugby league is going from strength to strength,” said WO2 Al Lynch, the current coach.

He went on to say that while the Northern Defenders are probably the strongest regional team, other teams around the country were becoming more organised.

“With the word getting out to defence members that rugby league can be played in the ADF, interest is increasing thereby strengthening all teams,” WO Lynch said.

THEISS Lavarack Barracks project manager Murray Frame said it was important to assist with the necessary sponsorship required to fund the team, while ADCU regional manger Bruce Scott emphasised the importance of sponsorship in ADF sport.

WO Lynch finished by saying that this kind of support went a long way to establishing rugby league as an exciting sport within the ADF, and that players were either returning to the game or rekindling earlier associations.

If personnel are interested in either playing or more importantly assisting administratively, then the following people can be contacted for more information:

• NQ and ARMY teams - WO2 Al Lynch (07) 4771 7481, al.lynch@defence.gov.au
• Hunter Region and RAAF teams - CPL Craig Foggo (02) 4964 5362
• Canberra Region and Navy teams - SBLT Dave Wallis (02) 4424 2640, David.Wallis3@defence.gov.au
• Sydney City Area - CPL Cam Earea (02) 9349 0279 Cameron Earea/RAAF/DOD/AU
• Brisbane/SQ Region - SGT Marc Williamson MarcWilliamson/6RAR/GALLIPOLI/DOD/AU@AUSTDEFENCE

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