Club Profile - Deniliquin Drovers
Name of Club
Deniliquin Drovers Rugby Union Football Club
Home Ground
Hardinge Street Oval, Deniliquin
Club Competition
Victorian Rugby
Number of Teams at Club
1
Clubs Rugby history
The Drovers began in 1985 in an area that is traditionally dominated by AFL. Despite not having their own club rooms it has just made the DRUFC more dedicated to the sport. Some representative players include Greg Fawns and Greg Condon who represented NSW Country. Lachlan Easom, Paul Gow, Rodney Kirk, Kawi Rika and Hugh Burnham represented Victoria Country against the Australian Navy in 2006. In 2005 the club made the change from NSW Southern Inland Rugby Union to the Victorian Country Rugby Union. Premiership years were 1985, 1987, 1997, 2001 & 2007. The club has drawn players from Echuca/Moama, Conargo, Blighty, Barham & Swan Hill.
Club personalities/characters
The Strong family has been well represented in the DRUFC. Tim Strong has been the club’s president for the last eight years and has also been a coach, player, referee and is still a registered player if he is needed to put on the boots. Younger brother Warwick Strong has played all 23 years of the club’s history and is our oldest player at 44 years. The youngest brother Andrew has played rugby in Australia and France at club level.
2008 Club Goals
This year the Drovers have seen huge changes in the team players with many new faces so the focus is on improving cohesion of the defensive line, better communication amongst players and improve the conversion rate.
Club Role Models
Paul Marshall has been instrumental to the club since becoming involved in rugby. Paul has been a player, coach, committee member and now life member. His playing days may be over and is now kept busy with a new baby, but Paul makes the effort to attend meetings, and serve drinks at Ladies Day’s as well as show up to watch the boys play on many home games. His local contacts and friendly personality has welcomed many newcomers to the club and he is always willing to pitch in and help out when he can.
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