In Shute Shield terms, 28-year old Jake Douglas is a relative veteran. The towering lock from Yamba on the NSW North Coast followed his older brother to Southern Districts shortly graduating high school and has been a staple of the Rebels’ pack for a number of seasons.

In a young Southern Districts side, Douglas’ experience will prove crucial this season as the Rebels look to return to the top end of the Shute Shield competition.

“As much as I want to continue to improve my game, at this stage of my career I get just as much enjoyment out of helping other guys at the club get better,” Douglas told Rugby News.

“We want to be winning premierships again at Souths, not just in first grade but right across grade and colts and we’ve got enough young talent at the club to do it.”

Douglas said he feels extremely fortunate to have found a new home at Southern Districts after making the move down from Yamba just over a decade ago.

“I love the club, it means a lot to me. I love the passion of the players, the coaches, the volunteers and supporters.

“We’re all working towards the same goal and at the end of it, it’s pretty special to be able to sit and have a beer with anyone from first grade, to third colts and enjoy some time together.”