BAYSIDE Christian College’s new Rugby League Development Program, the Bayside Barracudas, celebrated their inaugural Presentation Dinner at the Hervey Bay RSL Club on Friday 19 January.
This new school-based program has high ambitions to produce the next crop of footy stars, with 40 inaugural players from Year 6 to Year 8 joining up.
The college launched their program in style with a formal dinner for players, family and sponsors. Guests on the night included chairman of the Dolphins, Bob Jones and NRL great, Darren Senter, who spoke about being a quality person and never giving up.
Bayside principal Brian Grimes spoke about his desire to see the players reach the game’s highest levels, with the chosen players having the determination to get there.
Each player was given a program recruitment number that will always be theirs. Lilly Sloan and Tyler Mulhall will go down in history as the Barracudas first two members.
“It feels so real now with everything. It’s just going to be such a great night and such a great program. I’m so honoured to be the first one to be part of it and I just can’t describe how excited I am!” said Lilly Sloan, Barracuda #1.
Tyler Mulhall, Barracuda #2 said, “It’s an honour to be named the second Barracuda. I couldn’t ask for anything better. It’s awesome! The most exciting thing to be part of the Barracudas would be just to grow up and hopefully play for the Dolphins, which would be amazing.”
The program is part of the players’ school curriculum, “We want them to have an education as a priority,” said Head Coach, Brett Carter.
“They’ll be doing two double periods a week each, for each different age group and that will then go through into games and then go into tournaments as well,” added Assistant Coach, Michael Bennett.
Lucky door tickets were drawn throughout the evening for prizes ranging from footballs and caps to the main prize of a signed Dolphins jersey.
The night ended with players being presented with their official kit bag.
Further information about the program can be seen on the Barracudas website barracudas.bayside.qld.edu.au
