“Be A Roo In 22”

The famous author T. S. Eliot was quoted as saying, “Every moment is a fresh beginning.”

It may seem unusual to refer to the importance of beginnings when profiling a club with a seventy year history, but for the Seven Hills Kangaroos it’s incredibly relevant.

Established way back in 1951, the Kangaroos are amongst the oldest clubs playing in the Parramatta District Junior Rugby League.

Yet despite such longevity, Sevo is literally experiencing a rebirth. They are currently making every moment a fresh beginning.

This week, Club Secretary Ricky Orsina spoke with the Cumberland Throw to share the exciting news about the future of the Kangaroos.

Firstly, we have to travel back a few years.

Around 2004, the Kangaroos made the decision to merge with the Blacktown City Demons. This resulted in a change of name to the Seven Hills Demons and a change of colours. The famous Green and Gold gave way to a red and black strip.

Understandably, many people mistakenly believed that the Seven Hills club had folded.

Though the club was still in existence, it eventually became apparent that the future of the club would be found in a return to the Sevo identity that everyone was familiar with.

Back to the Green and Gold

Reverting back to the club’s traditional name and Green and Gold colours has not been without its challenges. The Seven Hills Kangaroos have had to kick start their future with small numbers, and that meant only fielding an under 18s team in 2021.

However, that team won the premiership and it was achieved with a mix of 17 and 18 year olds. From there the genesis of two teams will be formed in 2022 – an under 18 team with this year’s 17 year olds as their nucleus, and an under 20s team built from the 18 year old players.

Furthermore, Sevo is looking to field teams in all ages next season, from under 6s right up to that 20s team, and the club is particularly keen to enter a girls team in the under 14 age group.

When it comes to catering for all ages, playing out of International Peace Park has its advantages. The home field is situated next to rail and bus transport networks and as Ricky Orsina elaborates, 

The successful 18s team

“The ground is very accessible and community friendly. We want to not only build our club but we also want to increase the number of girls playing league and wearing the famous green and gold.”

And that future is starting with the local community jumping on board.

Local people are getting involved as committee members despite not having any kids playing at the club.

And the message from Ricky is clear,

“Our aim is to help develop players whilst creating an environment that everyone wants to be a part of and get involved with. The players have become involved with the designing of training and game day shirts and jerseys, giving everyone a sense of ownership. Everyone has a voice and the club listens.”

This year’s premiership winning under 18 team is a terrific example of the environment being created within the Seven Hills Kangaroos.

They were a completely new team, coming from a variety of backgrounds and from 16 different clubs. But despite starting the year as strangers they formed close bonds, becoming best friends and socialising together.

BA, front row, centre in his Sevo team

The positive environment was driven by the players and according to Ricky, the families and players involved have given the club a new lease of life.

Of course, the bright future that’s on the horizon still has an important history to acknowledge. And current Eels coach, Brad Arthur, is a big part of that history.

BA played his junior footy for the Seven Hills Kangaroos, winning best and fairest and club junior champion awards during his years there. His father Ted was also heavily involved as a coach. It was a family involvement typical of junior rugby league clubs, though it was one that just happened to deliver an NRL coach.

The importance of families in a club dynamic was a key take from that time. BA has carried that into how the Eels value partners and families within their organisation 

And what does it mean to have a Sevo old boy guiding the Eels?

It’s probably a fact forgotten about or simply not publicised enough, but Ricky puts it best,

A young BA with club awards

“Having one of our own on his way to becoming the longest serving coach of a powerhouse club like Parra is enough to make local kids dream big and inspire them to wear the club’s Green and Gold. It shows that anything is possible.”

Heading into the future, lessons have emerged from the Covid pandemic. The role of junior sports clubs within their communities has never been more critical.

Seven Hills have faced their own financial and logistical challenges due to Covid, but putting their community first remained a driving force. For Ricky and the club, the lockdowns have helped to put things back into perspective. It’s been especially true in terms of mental health and well-being, as well as the importance of getting players back involved with a sport that they love, and interacting with each other.

During the lockdowns, the Kangaroos placed a priority on communication, literally on a daily basis through group pages and social media, with updates not just about the footy but also shout outs for birthdays and notices about employment opportunities.

As Ricky emphasised once again, keeping everyone in contact means that everyone can be heard. It’s really part and parcel of that club ethos of giving everyone a voice.

That Green and Gold Sevo jersey

Like all Parramatta Junior Rugby League Clubs, Seven Hills receives an annual grant from Parra Leagues Club and they are also appreciative of the support from local sponsors. This includes Shiv Nair from The Nair Group,  Boxalls Automotive Industries, Pizza 2 Kebabs, and CU Insurance Brokers.

For Sevo, local businesses getting behind the club adds to that sense of community. These businesses have become a friend and partner of the club and it’s community.

If you want to become a Roo in 22, whether that’s as a player, a volunteer, or a sponsor, you can contact the club via its Facebook or by emailing Ricky at sevenhillssecretary@outlook.com

The famous Green and Gold colours await you.

You can hear our full interview with Seven Hills Kangaroos Club Secretary, Ricky Orsina, in this week’s episode of The Tip Sheet.

Eels forever!

Sixties

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