The Cowboys are confident the new players will boost their line up.
The match will begin at 4pm
Cowboys president Trent McQuillan and committee man Ray Fabar have given the new look Wellington side the seal of approval as it heads into it’s first official trial against Narromine on the weekend.
“There are new players and they will add to our strength,” McQuillan said.
It appears forward Justin Toomey White and fullback Alistaire Beale will be missing in 2012 but both players have said they are interested in returning to the side eventually.
“New signings of Group 11 and Dubbo Macquarie player Chris Daley, Shannon Ireland, who has impressed in training, and Elliot Knight from Bathurst St Patricks will bolster the forwards and despite losing some players the new gains are good,” Fabar said.
The club fundraising is ongoing with local hotel The Grand holding a joker draw each Friday as well as raffles.
“This is helping us in ensuring the club is viable,” McQuillan said.
The Cowboys League supporters club, a new entity to support players, is also working with the club.
Daniel Blackhall says the May match against Cyms will be a family fun day which will also include a members tent with refreshments.
“This will be members only and you can join us for the functions we have at the ground to help support the players,” he said.
The under 18’s begin the tomorrow’s trial matches at 4pm.
The Cowboys Junior’s will be missing key players Brent Naden and Lewis Stanley who are on duty for the Western Rams in the country under-18 championships.
Rams coach Scott Sutton told the Western Advocate the 1974 Amco Cup win by Western Division is being used an inspiration to the team as they head into the 2012 Country Rugby League Regional Championships.
Rams coach Steve Sutton introduced an initiative last year where his players learn more about the history of the team they play for and they are hoping that they are able to reproduce the spirit of the Western side that upset several Sydney teams to win the famous midweek competition.
“There is a really good camaraderie around this team and players from previous years have been really good.
“We set up a locked Facebook page for Western under 18’s players past and present and a lot of guys from the last couple of years have been on there wishing them luck,” Sutton said.
“Something I have tried to do is give the players more of an understanding of the history of the team they play for.
“Last year we looked at the 1974 Amco Cup winning Western Division team and this year we were going to try to draw inspiration from the 2004 team that was coached by the late Dave Scott, who came from 24-0 down against Newcastle to to win.
“The players have been talking to last year’s guys and they wanted to learn more about the 1974 team as well. They really embraced that ’74 concept and that’s what they want to follow.”
The Rams play the East Coast Dolphins in the first round, a new team that comprises of players from Groups 2 and 3 as well as the Northern Regional Rugby League competition. Who they will play in round two is dependant on whether they win or lose and other results.
None of the players from last year’s title winning team have been selected this year, which means Sutton faces the challenge of trying to set up new combinations, but he was impressed with what he saw in the 24-18 trial win over the Southern Redbacks last month.
“We are quietly confident about our chances. It’s a big ask to win when it’s an entirely new team but we have the goal of at least making the semi-finals,” he said.