ON the day the Wallabies play the All Blacks in the Bledisloe cup decider, their country counterparts, The Australian Stockman Rugby Union team will assemble in Brisbane to launch their 2017 Anglo American - Tour to New Zealand and Argentina. In what has been a challenging year for Australian rugby this Australian Country team is shining bright.
Aspiring country players from Australia’s remote, rural and regional area’s have been selected in the squad to take on two New Zealand teams and three Argentinian sides. Australian Stockman founder Shaun Mackin believes it will be a tour that represents the best qualities of Australian country culture and country rugby:
“The players have been selected from most corners of Australia and have been chosen not only on their ability but also on their character, have been training throughout the year to meet our strength and fitness standards,” Mr Mackin said.
“This is an initiative that provides country athletes an important development opportunity to be coached by some Wallaby legends like Chris Roche, Guy Shepherdson and Tony Melrose, then take their skills back to strengthen their clubs and local rugby competitions.”
The Australian Stockman complement existing rugby competitions by providing aspiring rugby players from country areas, off-season athletic and personal development opportunities.
The Australian Stockman also address important issues facing young men in country area’s such as mental health and well-being and domestic violence.
“We see sport as an opportunity to reach young people with positive messages around social issues they may other-wise not address” Mr Mackin said.
“We are blessed to have former NRL coach and welfare officer for the QRL, Murray Hurst, joining us on tour as both a skills development coach and a voice to educate the players on suicide, depression and domestic violence.
“This is something positive we can do to help drive down the negative statistics around these issues in country areas. Men speaking to men on these topics is really important.”
Mr Mackin thanked the 2017 tours major partner Anglo American.
“We appreciate the support of community minded businesses like Anglo American who invest into important initiatives like the Australian Stockman, without their support, providing young people from all over Australia athletic and personal development opportunities like this would be so much harder. The group conversations we have with young people about mental health and well-being are life changing and potentially lifesaving”.
Anglo American’s Metallurgical Coal acting CEO, Mark Heaton, said Anglo American was proud to partner with The Australian Stockman Rugby Union team in 2017.
“This is a valuable opportunity to raise awareness for mental health and promote key wellbeing issues with young people in the communities where we operate,” he said.
Australian Stockman head coach and former Wallaby Chris Roche is looking forward to the challenges that await overseas:
“This Australian country squad will be playing and training at a high level, we hope to show them a number of things they may not be used to and have this squad execute a running game that great rugby is built upon,” Mr Roche said.
“Both New Zealand and Argentina will be tough, it will test the forwards, the backs and our set piece, but that’s what makes the Aussie spirit so great, we love a challenge, I expect these young men to embrace each challenge and overcome them together as a team.”
Former Wallaby Guy Shepherdson said it was a way he could give back to the game on a grass roots level.
“I was fortunate enough to play a high level of rugby in my career, I guess I have learnt a few things that may be able to help other players aiming to play at a higher level as well,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to helping out where I can and enjoy the rugby and meeting a lot of blokes from country areas while on tour.”
Australian Stockman Rugby Union’s three week tour will run from October 21 to November 14, with games against Papakura Rugby Club and the Auckland Police Rugby Team in New Zealand and Los Tordos RFC, Atletico Del Rosario RFC and San Andres RFC in Argentina.
Follow the team on Facebook at @StockmanRugby.
CLICK HERE for 2017 tour launch lunch tickets.
