In a time of lists and aggregate information some meaningful landmarks might fall by the wayside.
Canberra Royals, however, will ensure that their player of some 45 years will not suffer this fate.
Mark Young joined Canberra Royals as a fresh faced 8 year old playing at U9s in 1977 and played grade rugby from 1989 to this day!
He has since gone on to represent Royals in senior grade Rugby 500 times.
Mark is now officially Canberra Royals’ most capped grade player and sits second on the all time list of ACT capped players.
Asked what he puts his longevity down to he quipped, “I try to keep as fit as I can and I’m strict with diet and still attend training every week.”
Young will reach this auspicious milestone against Gunghalin on the 16th July and when asked to recall the highlights of his rugby playing career thus far he simply replied:
”I’ve won a few premierships, won a few awards over the years.”
“I just love playing rugby and love the club I have played for all my life”.
Ironically named; Young has been tight-lipped on any talk of retirement and will continue to train, play and shout at all the young fellas on the paddock.
Asked what he considers to be the biggest change in the game since he first put on the famous blue Royals Jersey he replied with a wink, “Probably the footy boots….. They don’t allow you to run as fast as they used to.”
Former ACT Kookaburras coach John Kelsey, reserved some high praise for Young when asked for comment.
“I coached Douggie (Young) first in Warriors under 12s and later in under 18s. He is a player that has always worked hard on his game and he deserves every accolade that comes his way.”
Words: Canberra Royals
