After the famine came the feast, with 44 games of football at Parramore Park last Saturday for the start of the Group Nine Junior Rugby League season.
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For many, like the Wagga Kangaroos Red in the under 10s, it couldn't come soon enough.
"The boys were so excited. It was great to get back out there. We had one training pre-COVID and then obviously shut down for, let's call it 100 days, so the boys were so happy," coach Sean O'Hara said.
"It was awesome, to be honest. It was awesome."
The age group is non-competitive and, in fact, all grades will enjoy a season of football without worrying about finals this year.
But the Reds tackled their stablemates, Kangaroos Blue, first and then the two teams combined to take on a tough Tumut White side.
"We ran out of steam. We were tackling well to start with but we'll have to work on some fitness on Thursday and do a bit more tackling," O'Hara said.
"The boys had a ball. They can't wait to get to training on Thursday and get back into it again."
Harry Rynehart and Charlie Crow were among the standouts, showing off their skills.
Wagga Kangaroos president Chris Jordan said the four Wagga junior clubs have worked together for months to see rugby league being played again and they couldn't have been happier with the cooperation of those in attendance.
"It was great. It was a great day. The reward is kids playing footy, that's why we put the effort in, so they can get back playing with their mates," Jordan said.
"It was a limited preparation as far as training goes but on Saturday - every game that I got around and watched, parents were enjoying the fact that kids were back playing footy again. The whole day was sensational.
"We had Tumbarumba and Tumut come down so we had six clubs and it was just great. We had great feedback from everyone.
"All parents and supporters from all clubs were happy with the day and everyone was complying to the guidelines, like sanitising and keeping their distance in the canteen queue."
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