Over the past five years the Elizabeth Rugby Union Football Club (ERUFC) has experienced significant growth as the Club has focused on rebuilding their junior sides with a commitment to creating an all-inclusive, family friendly club.

Club President, Dave Zeelen, said the decision to rebuild the junior sides has been deliberate.

“We want to make ERUFC a family friendly club. “If you don’t have a good junior program your club will fail to exist, as you need good junior players to feed into your senior teams.”

Dave admits the decision to reinvigorate their junior side has also been somewhat selfish.

“I grew up in a rugby union family and have been with ERUFC since the mid-80’s as a coach, player and committee member, so it’s great to now see my son play for the club I love,” Dave said. “Most of our Committee members have children who play rugby union with us, so we are invested in growing our Club, and want to see it grow with our children.”

Currently the ERUFC has approximately 100 junior and 80 senior players, which they are expecting to continue to grow. According to Dave you will see just as many young females out on the rugby pitch as males.

Throughout the Club’s growth they have maintained their community minded values, creating a second family for their players and volunteers. According to Dave there’s a place for every adult and child, no matter who they are or where they come from at the Club.

“We are all here to play rugby, but it’s really about having that sense of community and belonging that is important. “We want everyone to feel welcome and part of our community.”

Their commitment to creating an all-inclusive and family friendly Club was recognised on Australia Day, when ERUFC were awarded Sporting Club of the Year in the City of Playford’s Australia Day Awards.

“It’s nice to receive recognition of what we do in the community, but it’s not why we do it. “We love our sport and our club, that’s why we have a great network of volunteers who make ERUFC a welcoming Club for all members of the community.”