Rams hit the beach

Cricket is still being played and the first game of football is months away but the Rockingham Rams have started pre-season training.

With the heartache of last year’s four-point grand final defeat fresh in their minds, players hit the sand and surf in recent weeks for the start of a gruelling pre-season campaign.

The new season also marks a new era for the Rams, with the return of Craig Otto to the club as senior coach.

Otto said the players the club had lost over the off season had been balanced out by recruits from the State league and interstate.

“We’ve got a couple of recruits, Eddie Dann one of them, from Peel Thunder,” he said.

The club has also welcomed Domenic Star, who has crossed the Nullarbor from New South Wales.

“What we’ve lost we’ve gained and we’re looking in good stead to be successful and have a good season,” he said.

Otto, who spent the past two seasons with the Peel Thunder colts, said it was great to be back with the Rams.

He was previously been involved with the Rams’ colts and league teams.

“It’s good to be back and give back to the club,” he said.

Otto put out an open invitation to new and past players and said there were still positions on the field to be filled.

“We’ve started off pretty well but if we can get more players down it would be great,” he said.

The club will hold its pre-season training on Tuesday and Thursday nights at Anniversary Park.

Sessions will start at 6pm.

Training will revert to Wednesdays and Fridays at the end of the month.

To learn more about registrations or training sessions call football operations manager Luke Holland on 0410 601 345.