THE Londonderry Greys Rugby League Football Club has been revived after at least two decades of non-existence.
The Londonderry community has rallied behind the club, with numbers continuously swelling and the man behind the revival said the community was being galvanised by the return of the club.
Buck Rogers, a well known Londonderry identity, who is a former NRL player, long time coach and passionate greyhound trainer, decided a few months ago the club needed to come back.
Rogers’ daughter Lee Anne died two years ago, and Rogers said he made up his mind to revive the club while looking at a picture of his beloved daughter last year.
Rogers said Lee Anne played for the Greys when she was young and was as mad about footy as anyone he knew.
“I’m not trying to get the tissues out, but just of late I finally took the photo of my daughter out and put it up,” he said.
“I did this all for my daughter. I say to her every morning we can do this.
Rogers might have to consider saying ‘we have done this’ given by the amount of support which has been thrown behind the club.
Richmond Race Club is the club’s major sponsor and the club will field five teams in the Penrith Junior Rugby League competition. There were about 100 people at training when this reporter went to take a photo of the team.
“Londonderry reminds me of a little hamlet. All of a sudden people are coming over and watching us train and all we have to do now is win some games,” Rogers said.
“We’ve got 10 on the committee who just walked up saying they wanted to be a part of it.
“We’ve had a lot of support from a lot of people. People just want to see their kids doing something in town.
The Penrith Panthers along with St Marys, Minchinbury and Colyton have all donated some gear to the club to help it get on its feet.
Rogers said he was humbled to see the club up and running again after so many years.
“It is bringing back a lot of good memories,” he said.
“We’re out to bring the community back. Bit by bit they ring up and ask if they can do something for us.
“I reckon we must be doing something right.
Rogers said all grades except the under-7s had been filled, and said anyone who wanted to enter children in that grade should turn up to training at Londonderry Park on Tuesday and Thursday night.
“I want to see the babies come through to the senior grade, and then I’ll be done,” he said.