The Bodalla Shamrocks was one of the inaugural teams in the Far South Coast Rugby competition, which commenced in 1982. They quickly relocated and became known as the Tuross Shamrocks Rugby Club.

Throughout the '80s, the team was fiercely competitive, regularly making grand final appearances in both first and second grades.

The Shamrocks' second grade team was first to claim a premiership with victory in the 1986 grand final, with the first grade team narrowly missing on several occasions.

Finally, in 1991, the first grade team won the Ted Eager Shield, seen as a just reward for its many years at the top.

Some success followed over the next couple of years, however many of the senior players retired and numbers dropped, although teams in juniors and women's rugby played for several seasons during the mid-'90s.

Reduced to just one team in the late ‘90s, they finally folded in 1999.

Far South Coast Zone president Peter Ryan said the expression of interest to play rugby in the Bodalla-Tuross area had been impressive.

"It's not me personally pushing for this but rather I have had a number of people come up to me and ask to re-form the Shamrocks," Ryan said.

"There has been plenty of enthusiasm and now, with the help of the ACT Rugby Union, we should be able to get a team running in the area.

"It would be great for the competition to have another team and, hopefully, a team from Braidwood-Bungendore are also planning to re-form."

Braidwood folded halfway through this year's season due to a lack of numbers and a breakdown in administration.

Ryan said that a full-time rugby officer has been appointed to the region, which should make a difference in coaching, refereeing accreditation, administration support and sponsorship.

With interest in Far South Coast Rugby continually growing at all levels, successful junior competition games were run this season on Friday evenings under lights at Hanging Rock Oval for players from under eights to under 14s.

In addition, an under 17s competition is planned for next season with games to be played prior to seniors' matches.

A meeting for all interested players, supporters and committee for both juniors and seniors is planned at the Tuross Country Club on November 8, at 6pm, and at the Bodalla Hotel on November 9, also at 6pm.

For more information contact Peter Ryan 0402 309 623 mob. or 4472 5159 home.