A quick glance at the history of Cowra’s senior rugby league teams, like most sporting clubs in small communities, reveals a strong family connection throughout the years.
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It’s something this year’s premier league squad oozes, with most players, except a few, having family roots in the football club.
Brothers Mitchell and Zac Browne have progressed through the Cowra ranks developing into key players in Cowra’s top grade outfit in 2018.
Zac’s set to start on the wing on Sunday while Mitchell, after suffering a suspected season-ending injury a couple of months ago, is likely to be injected from the bench.
They’ll be aiming to eclipse an achievement their father Wayne and uncle Dean chalked up in 1985, along with this year’s coach Steve Sutton, when they won the under 18s premiership.
Jeremy Gordon, one of Cowra’s best this season, isn’t the first Gordon to be seen at Sid Kallas Oval causing headaches for opposition defenders.
His father Bert helped lead Cowra to its most recent first grade premiership victory in 1995.
Joey Bugg’s grandfather, Joey Bugg snr, captained Cowra’s first ever under 18s side to a premiership in 1970, his uncle Robbie was a strong grade player in the early to mid 90s as well.
Williams, Ingram – two surnames synonymous with the Magpies and the black and white colours.
Warren Williams’ uncle Wilfred Williams scored the final try to win 16-6 in Cowra’s 1992 premiership win over Bathurst Penguins.
Will Ingram, captain-coached the reserves this year, will come off the bench on Sunday to continue plying his trade as a stalwart of the club.
Lee and Jay McClintock and Ben and Tom Gunn, two more sets of the brothers forming Cowra’s 2018 line up, driving the team to its bid of ending a 23-year premiership drought.
Josh Rainbow’s father Steve played for Cowra, Blake Tidswell’s uncle David represented Country under 18s and Steve Sutton’s son was a part of Cowra’s under 18s side that lost in the decider against Panthers in 2010.
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President Marc McLeish is proud to bring to light the strong family ties Cowra rugby league boasts, ahead of this Sunday’s Group 10 final day at Sid Kallas Oval.
“The family connection demonstrates, while we have brought a few players in, we’ve been working in our own nursery,” he said.
Rick Nobes played several first grade games this season, another surname that’s been a regular in the black and white particularly in recent years in the form of his former first grader brothers Jack and Toby.
Toby played in Cowra’s 2010 under 18s grand final side that was coached by Steve Sutton and featured Sutton’s son Luke.