Rugby league in the Yass Valley is set to receive more support by the Canberra Raiders after Bronnie Taylor MLC, parliamentary secretary for the deputy premier and Southern NSW, was announced on July 13 as the club’s ‘viking ambassador’.
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The initiative comes as part of the collaboration between the Canberra Region Joint Organisation (CBRJO), which Yass Valley mayor Rowena Abbey chairs, and the Raiders.
“I am very passionate about regional and rural southern NSW and know that the Canberra Raiders have a strong alliance with my region and its players,” Ms Taylor said.
Ms Taylor supports the objectives of the players, which are to promote and develop the game in the ACT and surrounding regions.
“As I represent all southern NSW with a catchment of more than 700,000 people, the work that the Raiders are doing to promote the game and sportsmanship underpins the sustainability and continuity of clubs across our regions,” she said.
It acknowledges the importance of club to Yass Valley and other communities in Southern NSW.
So aside from fuelling youngsters’ football dreams, they are role models and have an opportunity to make a positive impact on the community, and community is an important part of who we are in the Valley.
- David O'Brien, president of Yass Valley Sports Council
David O’Brien, president of Yass Valley Sports Council, said it was pleasing to see the Raiders embrace themselves as the country club and to make a concerted effort to engage southern NSW.
“As far as the NRL goes, they're definitely in a unique geographical position, as we too in the Yass Valley are in the unique position of having a national sporting team on our doorstep,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The Raiders bring us a rugby league presence and exposure to the stars on the game. They are a sporting leader and there's so much value they bring through their support of causes, such a mental health, cancer support and domestic violence,” Mr O’Brien said.
“So aside from fuelling youngsters’ football dreams, they are role models and have an opportunity to make a positive impact on the community, and community is an important part of who we are in the Valley. I wish them well and look forward to following their progress supporting our region.”
Don Furner, Canberra Raiders CEO, said he was thrilled to have Ms Taylor as ambassador for the Viking Clap and acknowledged her commitment for regional NSW.
“The Raiders have always been about the whole region around us, not just the ACT. We’re looking forward to having Bronnie Taylor as our viking ambassador as we continue to work towards strengthening the relationship between the Raiders and the regional areas we continue to service,” Mr Furner said.
The CBRJO consists of eight councils across the Southeast of NSW: Bega Valley, Eurobodalla Shire, Goulburn Mulwaree, Hilltops, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, Snowy Monaro Regional Council, Upper Lachlan Shire Council, Yass Valley Council and the ACT Government.
