High Performance Rugby League Coach and ex-Intrust Super Cup player Damian Petrie has agreed to be the Head Coach for the Border Bushrangers Under 18s team, that will again compete in the Toowoomba Rugby League Competition in 2017. After coaching the Stanthorpe Gremlins A-Grade and Reserve Grade teams to Grand Final successes in 2015, Damian has decided to take up the coaching reins again to help develop and educate the young Under 18 players in the Border Region.
“I am so pleased to have been offered this wonderful opportunity to coach the Under 18s in 2017. I currently teach a lot of the players at the moment in my current job at Stanthorpe State High School as a Phys Ed teacher and know a lot of the other young players from Tenterfield as well, having grown up and played in the town for many years. The young players in our towns are the future of the game in our region and need the support and guidance to continue to develop into better players on the field and young men off it.”
2016 saw the Border Bushranger Under 18s enter the TRL competition for the first time. The team competed admirably in their first year recording four wins and competing strongly in many of their other matches. Players were drawn from all over the Border region, including the townships of Stanthorpe, Tenterfield, Texas, Inglewood, Wallangarra and Killarney.
Prospective player numbers are looking very promising with up to 20 players graduating from the Under 16 squads in Stanthorpe and Tenterfield this year alone. Together with players who are still eligible from their first season in 2016, it is hopeful that upwards of 25-30 players will be available for selection. More importantly it will enable these young men to continue to play the game they love in their local communities.
Border Bushranger Staff Appointments include:
Head Coach – Damian Petrie
Assistant Coaches – Rob Rashleigh and Dave Landers
Team Managers – Lindsay Adams/Michael Jensen
Sports Trainer – Peter Sullivan

Border Rugby League Chairman Norm Crisp said, “The BRL is more than happy to support the Under 18s team again in 2017 and we wish them all the best for the season. They are in good hands with such a well-recognised and established coach as Damian Petrie. He is passionate about developing young players and will hopefully continue the great work from last year in educating the players in the Border Region.”
The Border Bushrangers Under 18s will be hosting an information evening in Stanthorpe and Tenterfield in early January for prospective players and their parents. Further detail on venues, dates and times will be advised shortly.
If players or parents have any urgent questions, please contact Lindsay Adams on 0408138597 or email lindsay@netprocanopies.com or Michael Jensen on 0439736865 or email m.jensen@qrl.com.au .

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