PORT Macquarie is now home to about 300 extra Penrith Panthers fans after the NRL club visited for their annual junior coaching clinic and meet and greet.
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They arrived in town on Wednesday (January 17) and hosted the clinic on Thursday much to the delight of many junior rugby league players from Port Macquarie, Wauchope and Camden Haven.
Players ran drills, gave encouragement, signed autographs and posed for photos with the kids, who were itching at the bit to meet their idols.
“It’s so awesome to see the players I watch on tv and get their autograph,” one junior Port Sharks player said.
“They’re really big and one day I want to be as big as that so I can play in the NRL.”
Panthers captain Peter Wallace said the squad look forward to the trip to the Mid North Coast every pre-season.
“This trip will be an annual thing, we love the community and everyone’s friendly. It’s a beautiful place to visit,” he said.
“I often pinch myself thinking that I use to go to clinics like this as a young guy. I was always pumped to see first graders in the flesh. To be able to do that now, I really enjoy doing it. All the boys do.”
Port Macquarie’s Jeremy Latimore, nicknamed Goose, is good mates with plenty of his former teammates at the Panthers, including Wallace.
I often pinch myself thinking that I use to go to clinics like this as a young guy. I was always pumped to see first graders in the flesh. To be able to do that now, I really enjoy doing it. All the boys do.
- Peter Wallace
“I only found out recently that was his nickname so I’ve been into him about it,” he said jokingly.
“Obviously he’s from here, and it shows that areas like this produce top talent. Jamal Idris is from up the road at Forster as well, so these grassroots are important to the game.”
Port Macquarie has a small link to another Panther in Tyrone Peacher. The nephew of former superstar David Peachey is related to the Daley’s – Adrian senior and junior, from the Port City Breakers.
“It’s always awesome to come to towns like Port. Whenever footballers come out it’s good for the kids,” he said.
“They all look up to the players. We have a good connection with the town, coming here for a few years in a row.
“When I was a kid I had my uncle Dave (Peachey, former Cronulla player) so it’s good to do that now as a player for these kids.
“It pushes you back a notch to come here and see how the little kids look up to you. I’m just grateful I get to do what I do.”
The Panthers kick off their season on Sunday, March 11, against the Parramatta Eels at Panthers Stadium. Kick off is 4.10pm.
They will attend a luncheon and signing session on Friday, January 19, at Port Macquarie Panthers.
Matt Attard
I was raised in Port Macquarie and consider myself a true Port local. I'm a die-hard rugby league fan and don't mind taking a photo or two. I'd love to hear from you, so please contact me at any time.
I was raised in Port Macquarie and consider myself a true Port local. I'm a die-hard rugby league fan and don't mind taking a photo or two. I'd love to hear from you, so please contact me at any time.
