FACING an uphill battle, a group of keen rugby league fans have finally realised their dream after it was announced the Murray Bulls Rugby League Club had been officially accepted into the Sunraysia Rugby League competition earlier this year.
The formation of the side came after an information session helped club president Stacey Hamilton grasp the fact there was a local market for the sport in the Aussie Rules region.
Taking to the Ken Harrison fields with nothing but extensive online research, Ms Hamilton grouped more than 15 players to officially begin their rugby league careers.
Fast forward seven months and the club has just signed up its first ever head coach, Andrew Cameron, ahead of their 2016 competition debut.
Despite players taking the sport up with no experience, Ms Hamilton said she was optimistic about the side gaining popularity in the Swan Hill sporting landscape.
“This is all so scary and exciting,” she said.
“We all have lots to learn but I think this town is multicultural and it is a much needed sport in the area.
“People are coming from other places and it is their sport, a few of those guys have taken up AFL because there was no rugby, but it is growing in Mildura and we are trying to fill a niche market in Swan Hill, there are people who want to play.”
Before being accepted to join the SRL officially, the Murray Bulls played a host of trial matches, something Ms Hamilton believed had given her 30-man squad further incentive to play the game.
“Those practice matches gave them a goal to keep playing and take it seriously, we have had no coach for most of the time so it is good to get Andrew on board,” she said.
“It has gone off an idea, it has grown fast and others have come on board.
“Rugby league is officially here. We are part of the Sunraysia Rugby League.”
As the administration of the side continues, new head coach Cameron is hoping to bring his wealth of rugby league knowledge to the side when training begins.
Having coached two under 18 sides to premierships in the Northern Territory, the Swan Hill teacher said his main focus was showing the players the mere basics of the game.
“This is all exciting, especially with all the hard work Stacey and others have put into it,” he told The Guardian.
“It will be a challenge, being the first major rugby league side in the district and there is a fair bit of weight on shoulders, but there is plenty of excitement about it.
“Early on it will be about developing the players [so they can] learn the basics of the game and the rules and the structure so they can understand and perform during games.
“We are just going to create our own playing culture.”
For anyone interested in playing rugby league, visit facebook.com/swanhillrleague
