SPORT
Hunter’s new hail Mary? Cobras look to bring bite to Hunter sports scene
ANGUS MCDONALD A
fter a hiatus of more than 14 years, it looks as though the Hunter region will again have its own gridiron team.
T e Newcastle Cobras are at the end of
an arduous, 15-month application process to gain inclusion into the 10-team Gridiron NSW competition. Club president Lee Smith said he was
hopeful that the Cobras would be ratifi ed after the team recently secured a 7-2 vote from existing clubs at Gridiron NSW’s AGM. “Some Sydney teams did not want us to
become a member, as they believe it should be a Sydney-based competition,” Smith said. “Lucky for us, the majority of the member
clubs want to see the sport expand and reach more people.” In just over a year, the Cobras have
grown from a small group playing a form of gridiron similar to touch football to a team of 48 registered players conducting weekly full-contact training sessions. Newcastle has not fi elded a team since
the original Cobras folded in 1997. Smith said the possibility of a new team
would be a fantastic opportunity for the region as it would provide an outlet for gridiron fans to get involved in real terms, rather than just watching their American heroes on the television. “Gridiron is great for Newcastle and the
Hunter,” he said. “It provides the region with an extra sporting opportunity that most would normally not have the chance to be a part of other than watching it on TV. “It’s the ultimate team sport, where your
individual contribution has a huge impact on team outcomes. “Gridiron allows players who may be only
skilled in a few areas to be able to focus on what they’re good at. It allows bigger and smaller guys the same opportunity to have a go and succeed as the more athletic guys.” Head coach of the Central Coast Sharks
and the Australian under 19 coach Peter Tos said he welcomed Newcastle’s push for membership as it would extend the sport’s reach and off er the opportunity for some spectacular local derbies. “It’s great to see the sport grow and we
are very excited at the prospect of a regional rivalry,” Tos said. For more information on the Newcastle
Cobras, visit
facebook.com /NewcastleCobrasGridiron.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56