Junior players from the Goulburn Stockmen Rugby League Club got a taste of Origin action as ‘Coops’ and ‘Tatey’ put them through their paces – the pair impressed by the local form.

“Rugby league is the lifeblood of many sports-mad communities, particularly those like Goulburn, so it was great to get amongst it today and check out the local talent,” said the 13-time Blues veteran, Matt Cooper.

Cooper rates his experience as a junior at the Shellharbour Sharks in the Illawarra as fundamental to his career success.

“The lessons you learn as a junior at your local sporting club can really shape how you develop as a player and a person,” he said.

“Getting kids involved in grassroots sport helps them learn skills – but more importantly teamwork, discipline and respect.”

In celebration of the unique role that community sport plays in Australia, Holden launched its Home Ground Advantage program in 2014 to support and nurture clubs with grants of up to $250,000 available twice each year.

Kellie Fitzgibbon of Geissler Motors said local sporting clubs were the proving ground for many of Australia’s sporting greats but not all had the financial resources to develop and support aspiring talent.

“Some of the NRL’s biggest and best players began their careers in regional Australian towns like Goulburn, so it’s great to be able to support sport at a grassroots level,” she said.

Geissler Motors today presented Goulburn Stockmen Rugby League Club with a grant of $1000 to put towards new equipment, uniforms or other upgrades.

Applications open on Wednesday, June 1 for the winter round of grants and Goulburn sporting clubs of all codes are encouraged to apply.  Visit www.holden.com.au/homegroundadvantage for more information.