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Port Future in Good Hands |
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With the nucleus of an Under 18's team kept together this season by coaches Brian Hetherington and Gerry Sozio, Port have in place a base from which to pull it's future grade players. Throw in the success of the junior teams over the last few years, and the growth of Port Kembla is shaping up well, starting to reinstate it's reputation as one of the great rugby league nurseries of the South Coast. 2003 has seen the Port Junior teams experience great success. Last week, Port fielded two junior premiers when the Under 9.2's defeated St Pius in the Grand Final by 13-10. The Under 10.2's followed it up with a great win over Thirroul by 22-0. Port's other finals bound team in the lower age groups, the Under 11.1's, finished in a credible third place when they were defeated in the final by Corrimal by 40-19. Over the course of this weekend, Port fielded three teams in the older age groups semi finals. The Under 13.1's just missed out on the post season play-offs, finishing fifth in their age group. The Under 14.1's were the first team to play, facing a tough task in their Major Semi Final. The boys played strong in an entertaining match, but in the end went down by four points. Being the Major Semi Final, the 14.1's get another shot at a Grand Final place when they play their final next weekend. The story was better for the two senior teams. Both the Under 15.1's, coached by Craig Simon, and Paul Purcell and Louie Gaudiosi's Under 16.1's played their more fancied opponents in the Major Semi-Finals, both coming away with fantastic victories and places in their respective Grand Finals in two weeks time. The successes of Port's Junior teams has been built around the hard work done by the Junior committee. Port now boasts record registrations and the successes of the teams mentioned, together with the efforts and enthusiasm of the remaining Port Junior teams shows that Rugby League in Port Kembla is alive and well. With these players coming through the Junior ranks, it won't belong before we see more locals in the top grades of the senior league. More information on Grand Final dates, times and locations will be available on this site over coming weeks. |