Wallabies to kick off season with Fan Day

The Australian Wallabies will kick off their 2006 Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series campaign with their annual Fan Day, being held from 3:00pm next Monday 29 May at Coogee Oval in Sydney.

The free community event will commence within hours of the announcement of the Wallaby squad for the upcoming Test season, making it the squad's first public appearance this year.

It is also the first time Wallaby Fan Day will be held in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs and, thanks to the support of Randwick City Council and Randwick Rugby Club, fans in the area have the opportunity to meet the Wallabies and enjoy a range of activities throughout the afternoon.

Wallaby Fan Day will get underway with an open training session as the team prepares for their first match of the year, against world champions England on Sunday 11 June at Telstra Stadium in Sydney.

There will also be plenty of activities for kids and families, great prizes up for grabs, entertainment and the chance for fans to get autographs from their favourite Wallaby players.

In the lead up to Fan Day, Wallabies head coach John Connolly has issued a public invitation to all Rugby fans to come along and enjoy the event.

"Fan Day is a great opportunity for supporters to see a Wallaby training session and meet the players and for the team to thank our fans for their support," Connolly said.

"We have some important matches ahead of us this year and it'll be great for the team to meet the fans we'll be playing for, against the likes of England, Ireland, South Africa and New Zealand."

NSW Waratahs hooker Adam Freier, who has played seven Tests for the Wallabies and who grew up in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs says bringing the players and fans together is a great way to kick off the season.

"Wallaby Fan Day is an excellent opportunity for the players to meet the kids and families that support the team throughout the season and it's great the team is able to bring the event to the Eastern Suburbs this year, one of the great Rugby heartlands," Freier said.

"From my experience growing up in the area and playing for Waverley College, Rugby has always enjoyed fantastic support."

Wallaby fans throughout the country will also have opportunities to meet the players, with open training sessions and public appearances planned for Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Sydney.

Wallabies Fan Day
Monday 29 May from 3:00pm
Coogee Oval, Brook St, Coogee (Sydney)
Entry is free and school groups and families are welcome to attend.