Newcastle's recently appointed representative coach Adam Bettridge says he's impressed by the willingness of players to wear a Rebels jersey at next year's NSW Country Championships.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bettridge, who only officially got the job a fortnight ago, has already started sounding out potential squad members with the knockout tournament scheduled for March before the Newcastle Rugby League season starts.
The 2017 Newcastle RL premiership winner, coming off a stint at the Knights, feels the prospect of claiming a title and earning a NSW Country cap also carry weight.
MORE IN SPORT:
- Why Knights director of football Peter Parr is confident they have cover at hooker
- Messi's Argentina looms for Socceroos in round of 16: FIFA World Cup
- Newcastle coach Shane Burley weighs up selections for NSW Country final: Cricket
- Why Jets hat-trick hero Sarah Griffith is unfazed by extra attention
- Wallsend's Nathan price takes lead in NDCA player of the year points
"We're unbelievably lucky with the squad we'll be able to put together, I think it's been really well received," Bettridge told the Newcastle Herald.
"I've already spoken to a fair few players who we will envisage being in the squad and just the boys' willingness to want to be part of it.
"Obviously there's a country jumper at the end of it too, which is a great opportunity for a lot of guys who are yet to be able to do so.
"Also the knockout the competition, it's not just a one-off game. Not that that's not important, but there is some significance in what you're trying to achieve.
"I think it's a really good opportunity for a lot of guys in the competition and so far so good.
"A lot of players have making themselves available and, to be honest, some making themselves available we didn't think would be."
Bettridge, previously an assistant with the Rebels, hopes to pick a preliminary squad before Christmas with an eye towards training at the end of January and start of February.
Round one against the Central Coast is slated for March 5.
Newcastle RL clubs Wyong and The Entrance will feed into Central Coast.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? We've made it a whole lot easier for you to have your say. Our new comment platform requires only one log-in to access articles and to join the discussion on the Newcastle Herald website. Find out how to register so you can enjoy civil, friendly and engaging discussions. Sign up for a subscription here.
Josh Callinan
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
