Bangalow charged to the 2022 grand final and could go one better in a joint venture with Byron Bay. Photo supplied.
The newly-formed joint venture that combines Bangalow and Byron Bay rugby teams is already paying dividends with big training numbers and plenty of enthusiasm for 2023.
The Byron Shire Rebels, as the new team will be called, will field teams in two senior men’s grades, one women’s team, and junior squads in the U/7s through to U/15s.
With player numbers falling across the competition the two clubs decided on the joint venture as a way to maximise each club’s resources and deliver the best rugby experience for players and members as they could.
‘If all goes well we hope to build the JV so that we can run a colts team as well,’ Byron Bay Rugby’s Eddy Brown said.
Training has been underway since January and the new team has come together without issue.
‘We are getting very good numbers at training for all the male junior and senior teams, but we are still actively seeking women of any age and ability to join the senior team,’ he said.
It’s early days but the squad is aiming high.
‘The quicker we can get the premiership side settled into playing alongside each other the better our chances for the year,’ Eddy said.
The joint venture is temporary at this stage and will be reviewed at the end of the season.
‘There is a lot of history at both Byron Bay and Bangalow clubs, so we will see how it is going at the end of the year,’ Eddy said.
The side will have a three-way trial run this Saturday at the Recreation Grounds in Byron Bay where they will be hosting Grafton and Inverell. A women’s game will also be played.
