SPOTLIGHT: Group 7 Rugby League

by Tallon Smith (20/04/2022)

South of Sydney, where Lake Illawarra and the picturesque Tasman Sea meet the urban sprawl south of Wollongong, is rugby league heartland. This is Group 7 territory, the area with the 6th highest combined rugby league participation rate in NSW, a feat made all the more impressive when its population catchment is compared to some larger NSWRL jurisdictions. And boy, are they proud of their game.

Group 7 consists of 15 clubs across all senior grades:

The Berry Shoalhaven Heads Magpies, Gerringong Lions, Jamberoo Superoos, Kiama Knights, Shellharbour Sharks, Albion Park Oak Flats Eagles, Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs, Warilla-Lake South Gorillas, Nowra Bomaderry Jets, and Stingrays of Shellharbour in First Grade as well as Albion Park Outlaws, Culburra Dolphins, Robertson-Burrawang Spuddies, Southern Highlands Storm (Bowral/Moss Vale) and Sussex Inlet Panthers in Third grade.

In a chat with Battlers For Bush Footy, Group 7 Commercial and Operations Manager Ashton Sims said he is “ultra excited” for the 2022 season.

“We’re in a lucky spot here [with] high participation [and] 3400 juniors. After 2 years of COVID, people realise how important sport is.” He also acknowledged and thanked volunteers, whose priceless contributions allowed the competition to plan a triumphant return. “[I] cannot thank them enough [for what they do, such as] line marking, [working in] canteens, cleaning, putting up the goalpost pads [and] corner posts. I encourage anyone to help their local club, even for a few hours.”

Whilst he was extremely optimistic about the season ahead, Sims spoke of the “multitute of challenges” that the Group is working through.

“The biggest challenge is waterlogged grounds,” he said speaking of the recent large rainfall events. “We’ve had to postpone the start of the season…[we] don’t want to ruin [the] grounds.”

One particular talking point surrounding Group 7 is the new kids on the block, the Southern Highlands Storm, a merger between former Group 6 Clubs Bowral and Moss Vale.

“[Their] initial intention was to be in First Grade this season,” Sims said. Although the club fell short on a few “criteria [they had ] to meet,” Sims declared that they are in good shape with their Third Grade (Regan Cup) and Under 18s side, which is key to blooding new talent and “sustains” their Regan Cup squad.

Finally, Sims added his predictions for the 2022 First Grade race, which includes the Berry-Shoalhaven Heads Magpies again after a one-year hiatus.

“Gerringong will be strong…Jamberoo, Shellharbour Sharks…never count Milton-Ulladulla out…[it’s a] wide open race.” He also spoke of the influence of having former professional players Beau Henry (Warilla-Lake South) and Adam Quinlan (Nowra-Bomaderry), with the strength of the competition meaning “anyone can win it from anywhere.”

The Group 7 2022 season kicks off on April 23rd, with a fantastic slate of ANZAC weekend matchups.