Rugby juniors train with the stars | Northern Rivers Rugby Union | Rugby Union in Northern Rivers

SEVENTEEN junior Seahorses from the Ballina Rugby Club rubbed shoulders with some of New South Wales’ and Australia’s best rugby players at a recent junior rugby ‘Train With The Waratahs’ coaching clinic.

The event, held at the Southern Cross University ground, was for eight- to 12-year-olds and was part of the activities organised to coincide with the New South Wales Waratahs and Queensland Reds Super 14 rugby trial match played at Lismore’s Oakes Oval on January 23.

The Ballina players, who were part of 120 juniors at the clinic, were put through their paces by local coaches with the assistance of 10 Waratahs players including captain Phil Waugh, Berrick Barnes and former All Black Sosene Anesi, as well as former Ballina and now New South Wales Waratahs head coach Chris Hickey and assistant coach Scott Wisemantel.

Excitement among the young Seahorses was evident and according to the parents, the boys couldn’t stop talking about meeting and training with some of their rugby heroes.

With Ballina Junior Rugby sign-on coming up later this month, it was the perfect start to 2010.