Wyndham City Rhinos Junior Rugby Union Football Club

A big thank you to everyone who supported last nights U11 Team fundraiser. We have the U9's next cab of the rank next Tuesday 21st July which will also see the Mouthguard fitting being conducted that night by IPC Health. Later in the month we will see our remaining grades, the U14's, U16's girls and U12 mixed holding their team fundraisers. Club Team Photo dates have been set and we look forward and thank in advance to all players and families supporting each other’s dinner nights and for all school age players to take advantage of the free supply and fit mouthguard fitting. Further details details will come out separately for the mouthguard fitting and club photos as they become available. Team Dinner Menus will also be posted prior to each of their nights with preordering available and recommended. In what continues to be a challenging but rewarding season, we look forward to keeping the momentum going as we head into the back end of the season.

Our U16 Girls continued on their winning way with victories in both their games played at the Rhino Pen last Friday night. Playing at home on Saturday, our U11's defeated a rugged Racing Rugby and our very determined U18's fell to Endeavour Hills who had a harder game than expected even though the score didn't indicate the quality of the match. Our U/12's played away against Brimbank taking out the win with a late try in the dying seconds leap frogging Brimbank into 1st Place on the table. While there were no games scheduled for all the GIR and pathway grades, our U9's took the initiative and invited Harlequins over to play a game which we thank them for travelling across to us. After playing clubs in our zone numerous times this season, Quins showed us a different pattern of play which challenged us in a good way and which we adapted to during the course of the game. Our U14 combined side also had a bye. Thanks to the volunteers who set up and packed up on both Friday and Saturday and to those who travelled to all games to support their players and teams.

Competition rounds resume this weekend kicking off with our club hosting this “Friday Night Under Lights” round of the U16’s Girl’s 7 a side and U14 Girls 10 a side competition. First game will see us play against Nthn/Shep 7:40pm followed by Brimbank in Game 2 at 8:20pm . Brimbank and Northern Under 14's girls will feature in a 10 a side game at 7:30pm also. Saturday will see us hosting our U11and 18 grades at the Rhino Pen in what will be some very competitive games as we head into the back end of the season. Our third place 11’s takes on second place Racing Rugby, our second place 12’s takes on first place Brimbank Bucks away at Brimbank with only one point separating the top of the table and our sixth place U18’s take on a undefeated Endeavour Hills Eagles. Our U14 combined and U8 grades have been made to wait an extra week having bye rounds with our U9’s organising a game against Harlequins also at the Rhino Pen with a 9:00am KO on Field 2. All are welcome to come down to watch some very credible and entertaining Junior Rugby Union this Friday Night and Saturday. Full canteen facilities will be up and running on both days with the usual favourites to warm you up on a cold winter’s day and evening.

Close game throughout with Victoria showing great tenacity and never say die commitment to finish on top of WA.

Perfect weather to grab yourself a beanie and scarf
https://wyndhamcityrhinos.com.au/club-merchandise

Our club has a proud record of each year being able to contribute to the ongoing development and progression of our juniors. This season has been no different as we congratulate players selected to play in the Vic School Girls U16’s and Victorian U18’s Men’s squad playing in the ASJRU Championship on the Sunshine Coast. With the reintroduction of a female U16’s squad playing in the weekly RV competition, it is quite an achievement to have 4 girls, Havanna, Imara (also selected as Co-Captains of the team), Anya and Bay-Lee selected from our club to represent their State, families and club. Likewise, our two U18 Men’s representatives, Trent and Cooper, both who hung tough with our club while we rebuilt this age grade up this season. It is worth noting no fewer than 5 former Rhinos players who moved on this season after playing their Junior rugby years with our club also being selected. We wish all players the very best of luck and good fortune during these tournaments. NB: The U16 Girls sides have since been played so check out their results on the RV FB page. 18’s men’s kick off today. Click on the link to view games being played live.
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The last round before the school holiday break saw our 11,12 and combined 14's come away with some amazing results against some tough opposition. Our 18's had a tough day at the office, however, as is always the case, played the game out to the end, still able to score 19 points of their own against a pretty good squad. Our U16 girls also ran out winners in their game on Friday night continuing their winning streak in this important 7 a side competition.

Our U8 and U9 teams played away at Geelong, again showing their ongoing progress. Having them play in this "Hub" format each week continues to be an increasing challenge and we thank the coach and team management for their ongoing commitment to their players. Too many teams playing at the same time at the same venue prevents proper monitoring and control when issues occur both on and off the field during the games. For our club, this format has only contributed to splintering these age grades from our other grades and created a certain amount of disengagement through no fault of either. The format needs to be binned in bringing back the traditional Home and Away format for all grades so they can be supported and feel part of their club and older junior teams. For the remainder of this season, however, these Hubs really need to have RV designate an official to oversee the games and be available to manage issues that occur both on and off field and take action where necessary. A Ground manager does not have the capacity or authoritative air to do this on their own and need this support. This will ensure transgressions are dealt with in an official and direct manner.
We hope eveyone enjoys the break with no training during the first week of school holidays across all grades. Check with your team manager for when your training resumes.

Just an apology from our club regarding last nights inability to access the training lights. A lock to the light box was replaced by Council with a different lock to what we had keys to. This was not discovered until we went to unlock the light box. We rang the after hours number, however, the Duty Manager did not have a skeleton key to open. To our coach's, players and families impacted by this, apologies and thank you for your understanding. Replacement keys have been requested and to be made available today so we can operate the scoreboard for tomorrow games. Ean - on behalf of The Committee - WCRJRUFC Inc.