International rugby landed on WA’s shores this weekend, with the British & Irish Lions making their splash on the community.
A big week of international rugby started with over 200 junior players descending on Nedlands Rugby Club for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet some of the world’s greatest rugby players.
Overlooking the Swan River, the juniors put on their Tri Tag belts, and launched into skills sessions, followed by games of Tri Tag Rugby. They were joined by Western Force stars Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Henry Robertson, Bayley Kuenzle, Ronan Leahy and Albert Alcock, who got amongst the action, supporting the young players.
After plenty of pulled tags and tries, Lions mania descending the fields, with the arrival of Ellis Genge, Tom Curry, Finlay Bealham, Ben Earl and Alex Mitchell.
The players joyfully chatted with the long line of young players and their parents, signed hats and boots, and posed for pictures. Immersing themselves in the Western Australian rugby community, the British & Irish Lions saw firsthand the passion of the next generation, and encouraged them to continue their club rugby journeys.
“Being out here, this community is just awesome,” Earl, an international flanker for England, shared. “It’s just like being back at home.”
“I spent a lot of my formative years... playing, training at the clubhouse. Just enjoy being around this place, this is what you remember.”
But for the Juniors, the fun didn’t stop there.
Teams from Wanneroo, Mandurah Pirates, Rockingham and Joondalup Brothers were invited to take to the field prior to kickoff at the Western Force v. British & Irish Lions game, taking part in fun sessions with RugbyWA Development staff and showing off their impressive rugby skills.
Then, 46 lucky Get Into Rugby – Tri Time players formed the Guard of Honour as the Western Force and British & Irish Lions ran out, getting up close to the action and high-fiving some of their idols.
At halftime, Tri Tag Rugby took to the field with a fun match up featuring players from Bunbury Barbarians, Bunbury Bulls and Wanneroo. In front of over 46,000 people, the young players went head-to-head in a showcase of the non-contact format, bringing enthusiasm and passion to the game.
In addition, RugbyWA’s Junior Journalist, Evelyn Bancroft, was out and about in the crowds, brushing shoulders with fans from across the globe who had descended Perth for the matchup. Part of the School Ambassador Program and a player for the Mandurah Pirates, Evelyn became part of the RugbyWA Media Team for the day, asking questions and capturing the excitement of the British & Irish Lions.
While for now, just Junior fans, the next British & Irish Lions may be in the RugbyWA Community. Registrations for Tri Tag Rugby will open soon for hubs in Wanneroo, Curtin, Kalamunda, Cottesloe and Margaret River.
