A new footballing youth tour will see rugby union players from Brighton in South Australia travel to Griffith for a sporting match-up.
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The under-12 and under-14 cohort from the Brighton Rugby Union Club approached the Griffith Blacks, intending for their 45 rugby youngsters to challenge the best that the Riverina has to offer.
The boys from the southern state look promising too, with the under-12 side securing a tie in their grand final fixture, while the under-14 squad won their competition by a convincing margin.
President of the Griffith Blacks, Rob Flanagan, thinks the tour will be a great athletic and social outing.
"It's really good for the kids to mix in with one another," Flanagan said.
"It should be a real occasion, and we're having a barbecue after the game for the kids and parents too."
Brighton will play against Griffith on Friday and Leeton on Saturday.
The MIA area was chosen because Wayne Londema, President of the Brighton Rugby Union Club, played A Grade football with Riverina local Chris Morshead a number of years ago.
The pair have kept in contact over time, and now Londema has pitched the idea of an annual tour to a mixed reception of rugby parents in the MIA.
"I'm just really excited to have this opportunity for our juniors, and the juniors in Leeton, to be given the chance to move onward and upward to higher accolades," Londema explained.
"I'd also like to thank Griffith and Leeton for being so welcoming and hosting us."
All of the games will be played at Jubilee Oval, which is a sponsor of the GRUC.
According to both Wayne Londema and Rob Flanagan, the kids in both camps are all very excited for the match.
There should be plenty of time for reflection after the games, with both sides set to be exposed to new ways of playing football.
The tactician in all of the coaches is sure to be at the forefront, with Blacks' coaches out to utilise their size and strength, while Brighton will be hoping to create openings with their dynamic set plays.
It remains to be seen who will take the podium after the match-up, and if this event will become an annual tradition.
"I'm just really excited to have this opportunity for our juniors, and the juniors in Leeton, to be given the chance to move onward and upward to higher accolades"
- Wayne Londema
The footballing rivalry between Wayne Londema and Chris Morshead should also reignite. The ex-teammates will both be taking to the sidelines for what is sure to be an incredible couple of days in junior rugby union across Griffith and Leeton.
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