The Colts have been working hard since the end of October in preparation for the 2017 season, with three sessions per week combining weights, skills and fitness, together with the occasional Saturday morning fun session at the sand-hills. This regime has the players in very good shape, and there is a lot of excitement within the colts group.

Don Mackinnon and Michael Black head up the 1st Colts coaching team, with Chris Storey and Michael Michaels back with the 2nds Colts, and looking to go further than 2016 when they made the semi-finals. 3rds Colts has the two Matts in charge, with Matt Allen and Matt Bell taking on the coaching duties there. Ian Wilson and Rod Pratt will be continuing in their team management roles again this season.

This is a very strong group of coaches and managers, and they’re well led by Doug Ryan, who’s put together an excellent pre-season program, and, in conjunction with the coaches, has implemented some well-organised game structures which have been built into the training schedules. The players’ attitudes and commitment can’t be faulted, and all is in place for a big season.

Colts are in a good situation, with a number of players back from last season, while the recruitment has been excellent with a lot of our local juniors joining us this year, in addition to a number of strong performing players from outside our local boundaries who’ve decided their future is at Souths. We thank them all for trusting their rugby ambitions at Souths, and it’s something we take very seriously.

We currently have two players in the NSW U20s (Gen Blue) squad, and seven players in the NSW U19s, as well as one player in the NSW 19s development 7s program. And just this week we also learned that one of our players, Deon Evans, had been selected in the Australian Youth 7s squad. Well done to all on these selections!

It looks like we’ll be putting three very strong and well-balanced teams on the paddock each week, and the players know they’ll all be under pressure for their positions.

I’ve said many times that this is possibly the most exciting group of players to have ever played together at Colts, and I strongly suggest that people come down and watch them show their wares, and enjoy a great afternoon watching some seriously good rugby.

This weekend we have our first official trial against Eastern Suburbs, and after our good, but rusty, performance against Singleton two weeks ago, this weekend will continue our build up for the first competition game against Manly on April 1st.

Bring it on, because we’re ready!

Keith Holmes
Colts rugby director