More than 40 players, from Gunning, Yass, Goulburn and Dalton are keen to be part of the first Gunning Kangaroos rugby league side to take to the field in 12 years. 

A chance, in a “rugby league mad” area, to be a little part of history. 

Last Thursday, they gathered at the Gunning Showground, many of them meeting each other for the first time. Meeting their new coach, Darren Solomons, who previously led the Goulburn Dirty Reds rugby side to an undefeated season. 

After a few words from Solomons and trainer John Thomas, they were into it. Touch footy, passing drills and push ups. The hard work had begun.

Club president Ian Blackburn watched on from the sidelines, and he liked what he saw. 

“I’m very happy with the turnout for the first training session of the season, and there’s a lot of enthusiasm in the community, a lot of support. It’s been great so far,” he said.  

“I had about 50 rego forms here with me – I’ve got seven left.”

So far, 43 men and women have signed up with the club. The men will play in the George Tooke Shield competition, while the women will take part in pre-game league-tag matches against neighbouring sides. But they are one club, all playing under the Roos banner. There are even plans down the track to introduce a juniors club. 

The catalyst for the club’s revival, 12 years since the club last took to the field, was sparked by a couple of locals who were keen to resurrect the Roos. 

“Brent Poidevin was instrumental in the club reforming. Then (player) Col Davis got wind of it, and (coach) Darren Solomons got wind of it and it went from there,” Blackburn said.

“But a lot of it was done through Brent and talking with Wayne Apps, who’s a previous Roos player. Wayne asked me if I could come along and help out, and all of a sudden I’m president.

“Because this is such a strong rugby league community, it was like a tsunami. People came out of the woodwork everywhere for the first meetings, and it just built from there.”

Purely from word of mouth and, because this is 2015, Facebook. 

It’s not uncommon for country sports clubs to struggle with forming committees to run the show. But the enthusiasm is clearly there. The Roos have already got a president, vice president, secretary, assistant secretary, assistant assistant secretary (who is also a player), a treasurer and media officer, along with a dozen committee members. 

A lot of locals are getting on board with sponsorship. Local fabricating firm MA Steel is going to build goalposts for the club, to international standard, as their sponsorship. Sportspower Goulburn threw in a number of water bottles for the players – which got a solid workout on Thursday. 

“The Country Rugby League has been fantastic with helping getting us up and running. They’ve given us grants and resources, they threw nine balls at us, practice pads,” Blackburn said.

“We’ve got insurance, public liability. It’s been a busy past three weeks. This year has been a major groundswell, and it’s really been nose to the grindstone.” 

The hard work on the field continues on Thursdays at the Gunning Showground. Check out the Roos’ Facebook page for more information.