The kids at Crescent Head public school are making a big splash on their return to competitive rugby league for the first time in many years.
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Under the guidance of coach Peter Lobb the team, which plays in old jerseys from the 1990’s, is quickly building a reputation as a determined, competitive side that plays from whistle to whistle.
What they lack in physical size they look to make up in attitude.
And the best part of their story is the fact that the team, known as the ‘Werewolves’, was created by the efforts of the boy’s themselves.
Peter Lobb explained how the Crescent Head public school rugby league team came into existence.
“It basically come out of a request by a few of the boys that we have a team,” Mr Lobb said.
“Probably three quarters of the team play on the weekend in the local club competition and they came to me and said they wanted the opportunity to play at school as well.”
Mr Lobb undertook a five week NRL sponsored coaching course at the end of last year to prepare him to take charge of the team. He said their support of the school side has been important in their development.
“The NRL representatives have come to the school and run some skills sessions and put the team through a few training drills as well,” he said.
A couple of local school rivals with more of a rugby league pedigree have already learnt that the Crescent Head boys mean business in the North Coast public Schools Association knockout competition.
They defeated Aldavilla 56-0 in a dominant display and then shocked Kempsey West 32-10. Their next test is against Nambucca’s Frank Partridge public school today.
The team travelled to Port Macquarie for the all schools gala day this week and made it all the way to the B final.
Twenty-one teams from 10 schools competed in three divisions with the winners getting the chance to advance to the NWSRL all schools carnival in western Sydney on August 1.
Crescent Head recorded two wins and a draw in their pool games, including a narrow defeat to Kendall and a 12-4 defeat of Laurieton before losing again to the Kendall boys in the final 8-0.
The team impressed observers with their ‘never say die’ approach and their sportsmanship.
Mr Lobb said the team had benefited the school in other ways off the field as well.
“We have had home games so far and it has been really good to have the community interested and coming to watch the kids play and support them,” he said.
The Crescent Head Public School will play Nambucca’s Frank Partridge public school today starting at midday at Crescent Head.