RUGBY LEAGUE
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CLIMATE change has a special meaning for gun Southcity recruit Shaun Ainscough.
Freshly arrived in Wagga from a freezing English winter, speedster Ainscough is trying to make the rapid adjustment to the Australia summer heat.
And Southcity captain-coach Daniel Fitzhenry is not about to ease Ainscough into the hectic pre-season routine of the Bulls.
Fitzhenry yesterday revealed Ainscough would take part in his first Southcity session in Wagga tonight.
"We're training at Bolton Park at 6pm and Shaun will be there," Fitzhenry said yesterday.
"This is start of things for him."
Ainscough, who has come to Southcity with a stylish resume from the English Super League, is the Bulls key signing.
A natural athlete, Ainscough can play centre, wing or fullback, but Fitzhenry has not settled on the Englishman's position for the Group Nine season.
"We'll just see how things play out," Fitzhenry said.
"We'll get to see him (Ainscough) at the West Wyalong Knockout and that's only a couple of weeks away."
Southcity is one of five group Nine teams to nominate for the West Wyalong event on February 22 and 23, joining Brothers, Cootamundra, Tumbarumba and Temora in the field.
The remaining 11 spots in the $12,000 two-day football carnival have been take by:(Group 10) Blayney, Orange CYMS, Cowra; (Group 11) Forbes; (Group 20) West Wyalong, Darlington Point-Coleambally, Tullibigeal Lakes United, Bidgee Hurricanes; (Canberra) Woden Valley Queanbeyan Kangaroos, West Belconnen
Fitzhenry, meanwhile, has already been impressed by Ainscough in his short time in Wagga.
"He's a nice bloke and is fit," Fitzhenry said.
"That's half the battle."
Fitzhenry yesterday confirmed Southcity would not play in the Bali Memorial Challenge for the first time this year.
The Bulls have hosted the Dolphins each year since 2005, but fellow Wagga club Kangaroos will take up the chalice in March.
The arrival of Ainscough will ease the pressure after Southcity lost award-winning hooker Kyle McCarthy.
With McCarthy heading to Wollongong, the Bulls believe Ainscough has the potential to prove an equally blistering attacking force.
Aside from playing at the West Wyalong Knockout next month, Ainscough will also be involved in the combined Group Nine-Group 20 pre-season competition on March 30 and April 13.
The Bulls will play Yenda in the first round at Anzac Park before backing up against Bidgee Hurricanes at Narrandera Sportsground.