It was on for young and old, literally, for Lower Mountains Junior Rugby League club's first player registration day for 2015 at Warrimoo Oval on Saturday.
Despite scorching conditions there was a healthy turnout of youngsters aged from five to 17 keen to try out. By early afternoon the remaining juniors were joined by candidates for the masters (over 35s) squad and if any of the young players were short of inspiration, they need have looked no further than 74-year-old Tregear resident Peter Woods, who didn't hesitate to commit to another season.
"I have a couple of grandsons who play for Hawkesbury and I played three seasons of masters for them, but Lower Mountains was in need of another player last season so I thought okay, I'll have a go," Woods, who turns 75 in July, said.
"I enjoyed it so now I'm going around again. The masters format suits me because the oldest players (identified by gold-coloured shorts) can just tip players on the other team but can't be tackled, only tagged, which makes me pretty useful in defence.
"I can't contribute as much in attack, but I did manage to score four tries so far and if I'm 10 metres or less from the line, I'll have a go."
Woods said he enjoys keeping up his fitness and he came second for his age group in his last half-marathon in Mudgee just two years ago.
"I don't do half marathons anymore but I still like to go for a 7 or 8km run twice a week - I find it relaxing."
Lower Mountains masters captain Ken Wiggins said Woods was an asset to the team.
"If players try to run around him, Peter can still get them," Wiggins said.
"Most players in the team are in their 40s, 50s and 60s and Peter gives us all some extra wisdom, he contributes to the team and also enjoys supporting the younger players and the juniors, which is what it's all about."
On the other end of the age scale, nine-year-old Lower Mountains juniors Bella Sandford and Patrick Bourke were counting down the days until their footy seasons started.
Patrick, a speedster who plays centre and wing, said "my team came fourth last season, so we will hopefully do even better this time".
"What I like best about playing footy is getting dirty!"
This season will be Bella's sixth for Lower Mountains and the U10s second rower said her favourite part of the sport is tackling.
"I have two older sisters and four older brothers who all play for Lower Mountains, so I get a lot of tackling practice on them," she said.
Asked if they thought they would still be playing footy at Woods' age, they replied "definitely!".
Registration days continue for the club at Warrimoo Oval on the next two Saturdays between 9am and 2pm.
The Katoomba Devils Junior League Club will also host a registration day on Saturday, February 14 between 1pm and 4pm at Katoomba Showground.
