The Canberra Raiders are angry the development of up to 70 junior players has been compromised by the theft of thousands of dollars’ worth of gym equipment from their Northbourne Oval training facility in Braddon over the weekend.
Thieves allegedly cut through a locked gate at Northbourne Oval and smashed their way into the gym, taking about three-quarters of the weights equipment, approximately 40 footballs, tackle pads and the bulk of the training kit that was to be issued to players.
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The facility is used exclusively for the development of Raiders juniors in their Under 16 and Under 18 squads.
Given the players are aged between 14 and 17, Raiders development officer Dave Hamilton said it was an important time for their physical progress.
‘‘It’s not the Canberra Raiders NRL team that’s hurting, it’s all the kids and it’s setting them back,’’ Hamilton said.
‘‘These kids are trialling for positions with the Raiders, they’ve got a chance to get bigger, better and stronger. It’s put a big hole in the pre-season.’’
Hamilton suspected it would have taken several vehicles to transport the stolen equipment, some of which would have needed to be dismantled.
Raiders officials are looking at opportunities for the juniors to use the club’s training facilities at Bruce, but it is already shared by the NRL and Under 20 squads. Juniors can only train outside of school hours.
The Raiders U16s and U18s play their opening trial matches against the Western Suburbs Magpies in Goulburn on December 7 and club officials are now scrambling just to find enough jumpers.
Under 16s coach Adam Kyle said he was most disappointed for those players who would not make the final squads and may now miss out on receiving training kit.
‘‘A lot of these boys are never going to get the chance to play NRL, so the kit they get is potentially a one-time opportunity for them,’’ Kyle said.
‘‘We’re still trying to tally up how much it’s all worth, it’s gone through to police and we’re seeing if we can recoup any of that.’’
An ACT Policing spokesman said police had received a report of the burglary and investigations were ongoing.
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