Rodney Stevens

Future Wallabies stars were on show at Yamba over the weekend as the Ngayundi Sports Complex hosted hundreds of children from across the state for the under 12 and 13, 2023 NSW Country Rugby Union Championships.

Yamba was inundated with families as busloads of junior rugby’s brightest young talent from 17 teams brought welcome weekend trade for many of the town’s businesses.

Yamba Buccaneers juniors playing for the Far North Coast under 13s team were in pool A, pitted against teams in pool B and C from the Mid North Coast, the Central West, the Central Coast, the Illawarra, the Hunter, the New England, Central North and the Western Plains.

Yamba Buccaneers President Adrian Miller said the under 12 and 13 Country Championships were great success, with some outstanding rugby played by some of the state’s brightest young talents.

“It was a fantastic weekend of rugby, and the Buccaneers could not be more grateful to Clarence Valley Council for their support of the event and to our volunteers who gave up their time to ensure it ran smoothly,” he said.

The Yamba Buccaneers were represented by six local juniors in the Far North Coast under 12 and under 13’s sides.

Junior Buccaneers Hugh Aeschlimann, Jarris Mitchell, Jason Maitz, Jesse Daley-Malone starred in the under 13’s four victories while, Levi O’Shea and Eamon Mawn had solid performances for the under 12s.

The Far North Coast under 13 side, coached by the Lower Clarence’s Dane Mitchell, impressed in every one of its four games, scoring more than 100 points while keeping their opposition score to zero.

In the under 13s final the Far North Coast took on the Illawarra and won the game 13-0 to be crowned Country Champions.

The team produced a great style of positive rugby, which was evident in the way they played, their attacking and counter attacking style along with their tenacious tackling.

The Far North Coast under 12s played some entertaining rugby, coming third in their division, with the Illawarra beating the Hunter 24-7 in the final.

The Country Championships brought hundreds of visitors and their families to the Lower Clarence, providing a welcome boost to businesses.

Yamba Fisho Manager Cooper Luskan said they knew a week before that the Country Championships were being held and they were very pleased with the weekend trade.

“We were really happy with the weekend,” he said.

“We definitely saw a reasonable uptick in turnover and people coming through the door.”

Flinders Rose Café Yamba Manager Brooke Draney said they were advised a week before the Country Championships to expect a busy weekend.

“We were very busy over the weekend,” she said.

“It was one of the busiest weekends we have had in a while so the increased business was very welcome.”