Rugby League: Central call for new recruits

One of Rotorua's oldest rugby league clubs are in need of players for the up-coming season. Pictured is Central Rugby League Club secretary Kerry Mason (left) and president Steven Murray. Photo/Stephen Parker

One of Rotorua's oldest rugby league clubs are in need of more players to field a premier team this year.

Central Rugby League Club won the Bay of Plenty reserve grade last season but are struggling for numbers this season, as they look to step up to the premier grade.

Club secretary Kerry Mason said they only had about 11 players at pre-season training last Thursday, and would like more players coming along.

He said some players were still finishing off their touch season, while others had work commitments, but they still needed more players to field a senior team.

"We would like two senior teams. We have so many guys who want to play reserves as well, and we have two coaches in place," he said.

Mason said if any senior players would like to play they could come to trainings at Linton Park on Edmund Rd at 6pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 4pm on Sundays.

Junior players and coaches are also being invited to sign up at the club, with registrations being taken at the Linton Park clubrooms on Saturdays between 11am and 1pm.

Mason said the last time they won the premier grade was 1986.

Club president Steven Murray said it was their goal to play in the top grade.

The club, which started in 1949, will celebrate their 65th anniversary on the weekend of October 25 this year, with an event being planned at their clubrooms.

The Bay of Plenty Rugby League premier grade is set to include seven teams this year, up from five at the end of last season, with Central and Mangakino making the step up.

The season begins with a nines tournament at Puketawhero Park at the end of March.

The Central premier team is coached by Jason Kiore.