Belt Up Round, presented by the Insurance Commission of Western Australia kicks off this Saturday across all RugbyWA grades and competitions.
In the annual Belt Up Round, RugbyWA sees its tenth year in partnership with the Insurance Commission of Western Australia. Belt Up is the Insurance Commission’s road safety awareness campaign to promote wearing seat belts on WA roads to reduce the severity of injury in a crash.
Belt Up Round is set to kick off this Saturday across the grades. Cottesloe is set to host the Belt Up Round at Harvey Field, with the Fortescue Men’s Premier Grade team taking on Palmyra in the Stan broadcast.
The Fortescue Men's Premier Grade’s ninth round is set to kick off at 3:30PM around Perth.
With a big day set down at Harvey Field, both the men’s and women’s sides from Cottesloe are set to take on Palmyra.
Coming up against the side, Cottesloe’s men’s side is looking to make up the four points that separate the sides for the top spot on the ladder.
In Round 7, Cottesloe defeated Southern Lions in Success, finishing 17-37. Tries for Cottesloe were scored by Kainoa Gudgeon (7’, 76’), Joe Ratusoqosoqo (33’), Michael Walker (58’) and Mathew Faoagali (80’). Sam Brown saw three conversions (7’, 34’, 77’), one penalty (75’) and one drop goal (53’) for the side. Tries for Southern Lions were scored by Saimoni Qaranivalu and Raikadroka Rafaele, with two conversions from Joel Lamatoa and one penalty from Serupepeli Vularika.
“As a group we were pretty satisfied with our last game against Southern Lions, coming away with a bonus point win,” Cottesloe Head Coach, Ryan Westaway shared.
“It is never easy playing the Southern Lions, especially at Success, so pleased we could get the win off the back of a dominant forward and defensive display.”
With their sights set on Palmyra for this weekend, Cottesloe knows there is a big challenge ahead.
“Palmyra like to play an up-tempo game and provide quick ball to their outside backs, so we can’t allow them to dictate the pace of the game.”
“Their back three probably touch the ball more than any other back three in the competition, so the aim will be to limit them getting their hands on the ball as much as possible.”
The reintroduction of injured players gives the Cottesloe team a lot to look forward to, and to continue to build upon their good performances.
“We have certainly been tested with injuries since Round One, but a lot of boys are now moving from the rehab group back into the main squad again. To be able to get key players back at this time of the year is obviously exciting, so we can start building combinations.”
“The key for us is to back up the good performance against the Southern Lions and build on that. We have played plenty of good footy this season, but the challenge for us is to do it for longer periods.”
“To beat a strong side like Paly we have to play well consistently for 80 minutes.”
“The pleasing thing for us is that we have good depth across the entire club,” Westaway said. “Our Reserve Grade and Third Grade are both in the top four.”
Palmyra are hoping to hold on to their lead at the top of the table as they meet Cottesloe this weekend.
Palmyra saw a win over Kalamunda last weekend, defeating the side 28-7 at home. Tries were scored by Benji Hoppe (28’, 42’) and Jack Grooby (10, 56’), who also added four conversions to the scoresheet (10’, 28’, 42’, 56’). Kalamunda’s try was scored by Tevyn Anitelea (80’), as was converted by Haiden Rangitoheriri (80’).
Coming from their game against Kalamunda, Palmyra are feeling good.
"We're in a good spot,” Head Coach, Darren Reed said. “Kalamunda are a good test physically and I felt we controlled the game pretty well in the face of some real heat from them in the tackle and breakdown.”
“We are really looking forward to this weekend.”
Heading into Belt Up Round, the side knows the energy they need to bring to retain their top-of-the-ladder position, but needs to make sure that energy stays under control.
“Managing injuries, managing energy is key,” Reed said, about their challenges for this week.
“I probably don't need to rev the guys up. A top of the table clash at Cott will do that for me.”
"It's about making sure we are absolutely clear about what we need to do to win on Saturday and making sure practice reflects that and gives the squad the reps they need to perform.”
In terms of the team’s strengths heading into their battle with Cottesloe, Reed shared that his team is strongest in terms of their depth.
“We've had all sorts of hardship over the past months. Injuries, FIFO, guys needing to attend to family matters, you name it. Yet I'm constantly amazed at the squad's ability to step up.”
“There's a real ‘next-man-up' mentality and a real focus on just getting the job done no matter what. The guys who are injured are still contributing off the field and doing what they can, which adds to morale in the squad in a big way.”
With the team’s top spot on the line, Reed isn’t concerned about winning or losing. Instead, he is looking for his team to play to the standards they have set for themselves.
“Just play to our potential,” Reed shared.
"If we go out there on Saturday and play well and lose, it's a bitter pill to swallow, but I can kind of cop that. Even though I hate losing.”
“What's far worse is not performing on these big occasions. I just honestly believe if we can put out our best stuff, we are going to give ourselves a good chance of winning.”
Belt Up Round allows clubs to deliver an important message within their communities – the importance of wearing your seat belt and belting up.
For the Fortescue Premier Grade sides, the round marks an opportunity to make some change in a practical way.
“Anytime Rugby can deliver a positive, practical message is a good thing,” Reed shared. "I think these simple, humble everyday causes sometimes get missed.”
“With so many young adults playing the game it is extremely important to create that awareness and promote wearing a seatbelt within the RugbyWA community,” Westaway said.
The messaging of the round is vital, for the safety of everyone in the rugby community. With constant travelling to and from games, throughout both the metropolitan area and wider regions, it’s important everyone remembers to belt up.
“Putting on your seatbelt is a pretty simple thing,” Reed remarked. “Keeps you and everyone safe. And stops your car making that annoying beeping noise!”
Belt Up Round is set to kick off this Saturday across the grades. Fortescue Men’s Premier Grade’s Cottesloe v. Palmyra will be streamed live on Stan from 3:30PM.
Seatbelts save lives. Belt Up every time.
Fortescue Premier Grade BELT UP Round 9 Fixtures
UWA v. Nedlands @ McGillivray Oval
Kalamunda v. Wests Scarborough @ Hartfield Reserve
Associates v. Southern Lions @ Allen Park
Joondalup Brothers v. Perth Bayswater @ HBF Arena
Cottesloe v. Palmyra @ Harvey Field *Streamed live on Stan
