Waratahs take another Gamble with Crusaders 'product'
TRANSFER NEWS: The NSW Waratahs have re-signed Charlie Gamble for a further season, with the backrow putting pen-to-paper on a one-year deal for the 2021 Super Rugby season.
The former Crusaders Academy product joined the NSW Waratahs in late-2019 after a breakout season for Eastern Suburbs in the Shute Shield.
Gamble famously arrived at the Beasties – and eventually the Waratahs – via the Kentwell Cup, playing a season with Petersham on his arrival to Australia in 2018.
Since then he has represented Sydney in the National Rugby Championship and turned out for NSW Waratahs ‘A’ in several fixtures in the early part of 2020.
Gamble’s time in the NSW Waratahs environment has been punctuated by some minor injuries, but after an early release to club rugby at the tail-end of Super Rugby AU, will return with plenty of footy under his belt ahead of the 2021 pre-season.
NSWRU General Manager of Rugby, Tim Rapp said that Gamble had shown glimpses of what he could offer at the top level and a new contract was reward for his effort throughout the year.
“It’s been a bit of a frustrating year for Charlie with some niggling injuries that have kept him off the park,” Rapp said.
“He had a great start to his time with us – dating back to his performances in the NRC – and the management group have a lot of confidence in what Charlie can offer.
“Given the change amongst our squad, it’s an exciting time for a player like Charlie who originally arrived off the back of impressive from in the Shute Shield – we’re looking forward to having him back in 2021.”
NSW Waratahs Head Coach, Rob Penney said that Gamble would benefit from another season in a professional environment.
“We’ve seen Charlie progress really well across the last 12 months, albeit with a few interruptions due to injury,” Penney said.
“We’re really happy with his progress, but Charlie also understands the areas he needs to work on throughout pre-season and into next year.
“He’s got the opportunity to build on that in the Shute Shield now, where he’s been extremely impressive for some time – his seamless transition into our squad is credit to the quality of that competition as a whole.
“There’s opportunity there for a player like Charlie in the early part of next season, and we’re looking forward to seeing him put his best foot forward.”
Gamble said a return to the NSW Waratahs in 2021 was something he was looking forward to.
“To sign a contract last season was a really exciting time for myself and my family,” Gamble said.
“With everything that’s gone on, it’s been a fairly unusual first year in professional footy.
“Even with that, the journey so far has been a really enjoyable one and my time in and around the Waratahs group has helped improve my game.
“I’m enjoying getting plenty of minutes in club rugby at the moment and putting some new things into practice ahead of pre-season later in the year.”
