Working with the Community is Central for the Warriors

By Julian Clarkstone

At the same time they are continuing the same efforts off the field to ensure the team and the sport of Rugby League can continue its growth in the region. We caught up with CEO and Assistant Coach Craig Howitt to discuss the team and the sport’s progression in Central Florida.

The USARL South Division is proving to be the closest of the three divisions. Atlanta Rhinos have scored 138 points and are coming first, whereas the Tampa Mayhem are sitting at the bottom and have scored 118, which highlights the strength of the division. Last weekend the Warriors lost in their second clash of the season with the Mayhem. The home game appeared to be a disadvantage for both teams, with the Warriors losing 28-40 at Spec Martin Stadium, Deland and defeating the Mayhem earlier in the season 36-32 at Tampa Catholic School.

The Warriors entered the 2015 season with far greater experience under their belt than this time last year.  Despite the loss some key players from last season, the Warriors picked up the services of Lance Wright as well as former Jacksonville Axemen Karl Buck and Taylor Alley. Craig Howitt said, “this year over 20 players have at least a year of first grade experience, compared to last year where we had a number of rookies playing league for the first time.”

The Central Florida Warriors and the Volusia Rugby Foundation partnered to deliver four free training camps for kids at Sperling Sports Complex. The first two camps were delivered on the 30th of May and 27th of June with the next two being held on the 11th of July and 1st of August. These camps are broken up into sessions for ages of 4-10 (9-10am) and 11-17 year olds (10.30am-12pm). Howitt said the Warriors “wanted a way to give back to the community that has been so open to us.” Now that several of the player’s children are interested in playing the sport, Howitt thought, “with there not being any local program for this we stepped up as an organization and put it together.”

The Warriors are setting up potential long-term Rugby League players through their camps and are also working hard to attain some quality sponsors. “Our post game sponsor, Bill and Franks, were as excited as we were to sign back on for another year. The City of Deland Parks and Recreation not only worked with us on renewing our contract for Spec Martin Stadium, but they partnered with us for our Summer Youth Camps to allow us to offer them free of charge,” Howitt stated.

Craig Howitt’s determination to ensure The Central Coast Warriors are a professionally run organization was established through seeing the commitment of administrators such as Spinner Howland and Drew Slover in his playing days at Jacksonville. “Now that I am in a position to step up and help with that administration I was more than happy to put my hand up,” Howitt said. He is encouraging avid Rugby League supporters to start up their own team. He said, “You can do it! Get some passionate people around you, put together a plan and budget, cater to the spectator and make it happen!”