Former Reds and Wallabies assistant Jim McKay has been locked in as coach for regional representative rugby side Australian Stockman ahead of their four-match English tour.
McKay served as an assistant for the Reds during their 2011 and 2021 title campaigns, along with joining the Wallabies coaching group in 2013-2014.
Don't miss Super Round 2024 in Melbourne from March 1-3. Get your tickets now!
Founded in Longreach in 2013, the Stockman is an invitational representative side providing athletic and personal development opportunities for amateur rugby union players from regional Australia.
“I’m looking forward to being involved with Stockman Rugby’s ‘For King and Country’ tour," McKay said.
“Having progressed from grassroots rugby myself, I see this opportunity as a way to connect back into the pathways of the community game and the further development of players, who will be selected for this tour from various competitions across Australia.
“I align with Stockman Rugby’s holistic player development focus and I’m looking forward to building new rugby relationships and working with the group both on and off the field, in particular the group conversations we will conduct around important men’s health topics.
“Rugby and sport in general is such a great vehicle to foster life skills and connect people together as a team. I expect the 2024 squad to rise to the occasion and overcome the challenges they will face in playing quality teams such as Cambridge and Oxford universities.”
The 2024 tour runs from 4-23 October 2024 with a warm-up match and launch event in Sydney, followed by four matches against English club sides.
The 'For King and Country' tour is the fifth run by the team, having previously toured New Zealand (2013), Ireland (2015), North Queensland (2016), New Zealand and Argentina (2017) and Perth (2018).
"Stockman Rugby provides young men from country Australia with a golden opportunity to grow as players and people," Wallabies legend and ambassador John Eales added.
“International rugby tours are a great way to develop life experience, while also testing yourself at a representative level. This is an invaluable, potentially life-changing opportunity for regional rugby players.
“I would encourage all Australian Rugby fans to get in behind the Australian Stockman Rugby Union because it is a great cause.”
Interested players can submit their expression of interest at https://bit.ly/StockmanPlayerSubs
