MORE than 60 junior rugby union teams from across Australia will compete in The Armidale School rugby carnival this weekend, including an under-12s team from Moree Junior Rugby Union Club.
The two-day TAS carnival, the largest of its type in Australia, will be played across eight fields at The Armidale School, but it is the remarkable numbers behind the scenes that will make this year’s carnival the biggest in its 20-year history.
A record 66 teams will take part from New South Wales, Queensland, the ACT and Western Australia, comprising 32 school teams and 34 junior clubs.
In what is the largest under-12s carnival in Australia, 43 mixed teams will play 15-a-side, while the girls 7s tournament continues to expand, with 11 teams taking the field in under-14s, and 12 in the under-16s.
Carnival organiser Rachael Edmonds said around 1225 registered players, coaches and managers are involved – not including another couple of thousand parents, carers and supporters expected to descend on Armidale for the event.
“Planning for this year really started as soon as the final whistle was blown last year,” Mrs Edmonds said.
“It really is as large as we can logistically handle and it involves a massive team here at TAS including grounds and housekeeping staff, our catering team, teachers and admin staff.
“But to see the joy it brings to the boys and girls playing and their parents, is well worth the effort,” she said.
Logistics include accommodation, with more than 700 players staying on-site at TAS, and others in various locations in Armidale, Uralla, Walcha and Tamworth.
Motels are also booked out across the north.
Another challenge is the draw, with 177 games to be played on eight school ovals, over two days.
On the whistle will be 26 junior referees, supported by referee coaches, who are part of a NSW Rugby referee coaching program.
Local stall-holders selling homewares, jewellery and other artisan goods will trade in the foyer of the Hoskins Centre.
“One of the big attractions of the carnival is that it offers an opportunity for school and club teams to mix together, camp on tour, develop their teamwork on and off the field in a fantastic carnival atmosphere – and that’s something pretty unique,” Mrs Edmonds said.
“There really isn’t anywhere else where you could find the Wellington Redbacks juniors up against Canberra Grammar, for instance.”
Indeed, such is the carnival’s reputation, this year will see the debut appearance of Wellington Redbacks and Illawarra Districts from NSW, Uni Rugby Club from Toowoomba, Queensland, and Kalamunda Districts Rugby Union Club flying across from Perth.
“It’s fantastic for Armidale, fantastic for TAS but most of all it’s fantastic for the players, and we’re sure everyone’s going to have a great time,” Mrs Edmonds said.
Armidale mayor Sam Coupland said the event was a huge drawcard and a highlight on the city’s calendar.
“The TAS Rugby Carnival is something that is uniquely Armidale and has become a major fixture on our calendar. Sporting tourism is a key pillar of the economic drivers in our region and the TAS Rugby Carnival is a cornerstone in making this a reality,” he said.
