Rugby League: Tauranga Whalers to resurrect senior team

Brendon Anderson, pictured playing for Otumoetai Eels in 2007, has returned from Australia to resurrect the Tauranga Whalers. Photo/File

"Sing bravo bravo - you're a brave brave man."

That line may be the opening refrain of a Dave Dobbyn classic, but it can just as easily be applied to another man synonymous with whalers.

Brendon Anderson, the new chairman and player/coach of the resurrected Tauranga Whalers Sports United Club, has big plans befitting a man with an adventurous spirit.

An open Whalers trial, to be held on Saturday at Grenada Park, is seen as the first step towards re-establishing a second senior rugby league club in the Tauranga area.

"We're hoping to make the Waikato competition - the same one as the Otumoetai Eels - but we have to prove ourselves before we get there," Anderson said on Monday.

"We need 40-50 players to get to that stage. We're having an open trial this weekend against a senior team and we are calling on anybody - be they rugby players or soccer players - who want to give league a go to come down and join us."

The club needs to register 40 players to be accepted into the competition.

The Carrot is a possible first round clash with their crosstown rivals.

"It will be a 10 team competition if we are accepted, from Huntly to Tauranga.

"There's a wee bit of travelling involved, but the club is set up financially to do that.

"At present, because it's a nine team competition, there is a bye in the first round which is the Otumoetai Eels.

"The very first game could be against the Eels, which would be a great clash.

"There's a lot of camaraderie between the clubs and the players - we should fit in there quite nicely if we are accepted."

Anderson is placing great emphasis on attracting new players in order to satisfy competition officials the club will be able to field premier and reserve grade sides.

"Because we didn't have a senior team last year due to problems, we lost about 10 players to the Eels.

"It would be nice if they came back, but they are probably comfortable over there and I'm not going to pressure them. We'll draw on some new blood. League is a great game to play and watch so hopefully we can draw a few players along." The club currently has five or six junior teams comprising players between 5 and 17-years-old, and is receiving assistance from Sport Bay of Plenty's Coach Force officer Len Reid.

The trial, to be held at Grenada Park on Saturday, begins at 4pm.