HSBC Waratahs to attend National Rugby Camp
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Tuesday, 13 January 2009
NSWRU Media Unit
The HSBC Waratahs will lend a hand to help develop some stars of the future by taking part in the annual National Rugby Camp this week in Armidale.
Luke Burgess on an electrifying 70 metre run.
Luke Burgess on an electrifying 70 metre run. [2008 Super 14 - Rd 8 v Blues]
Test stars Luke Burgess and Timana Tahu will attend the camp over the next two days, along with Waratahs Assistant Coach Scott Wisemantel who will bring his widespread knowledge and unique brand of enthusiasm to more than 300 attendees.
"We're on the doorstep of the season right now, but we found a small window to be able to attend the camp and not interfere with pre-season training," said Wisemantel. "It's pretty important, particularly in regional areas, that these young players get the chance to interact with and meet some of their heroes."
The camp started on Sunday and runs through to Wednesday 14 January, with players aged 8-17 staying together at The Armidale School.
Along with the attendance of Tahu, Burgess and Wisemantel, NSW Rugby is further helping out at the camp with development and training staff from the Sydney, Central Coast, Newcastle-Hunter, Northern Inland and New England regions attending to facilitate the program.
The participation continues an increased interaction between NSW Rugby and Country Rugby.
During November, four Cockatoos players were brought into Waratahs pre-season training for a week, while the Waratahs are taking their second trial of 2009 against the Fiji Warriors to EnergyAustralia Stadium in Newcastle, home of the Caldwell Cup Champion Newcastle-Hunter Wildfires.
The relationship between NSW Rugby and Country Rugby was solidified even further in December with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding between the two unions which covers administration, development, coaches, officiating and referees, finances, marketing and sponsorship, together with the overall governance of the game.