A group of Sunshine Coast rugby enthusiasts is starting a youth league as a way to introduce the sport to kids more likely familiar with soccer.
Shaun Bosch grew up playing rugby in South Africa and had no idea there were other fans of the sport living on the Coast until the subject came up randomly at a youth soccer game after a woman approached him to ask how to sign her kids up for soccer.
“We didn't know each other. I coach on the soccer team at the moment for youth soccer and Joe's wife bumped into me in a field and asked how she can sign the kids up for soccer,” said Bosch. “And she said, they're really more interested in rugby, but they saw that there's no rugby on the Coast.”
That random encounter led to contact information being shared and Bosch and Joe Scale meeting for the first time with a plan to bring rugby to the Coast. As it turned out, Scale is a former international rugby player who was more than happy to lend a hand in forming a league. And, when two other rugby enthusiasts, James Armstrong and Greg Pinel, heard about their efforts, an official plan began to take shape.
Bosch notes rugby is a big part of the culture in South Africa.
“Everyone either watches or plays it,” he says. “And rugby is really, really big in Canada as well. I mean, the women's team here especially, does exceptionally well. So, it’s obviously the youth rugby league is going to be for boys and girls.”
The men hope to add at least 60 boys and girls to the league for teams including grades one/two, three/four, and five/six, with plans to expand to include older teens starting next year. By focusing on youth development from the outset, the league aims to spark a lifelong love for the game and lay a strong foundation for the future of the club.
Looking ahead, the organizers plan to expand into a full-fledged rugby club that welcomes players of all ages and backgrounds, including an U19 program for young women and men, and adult women’s and men’s team by 2026. They envision a vibrant rugby culture along the Sunshine Coast, complete with regular training sessions, competitive matches and social events that bring, families, neighbourhoods and communities together.
For now, the players will participate in one practise a week with a game held on the weekend. Practices and games will be played on fields located between Langdale to Lund. For the younger players, there will be no contact. Instead, they'll play tag rugby that sees each player wear a Velcro flag attached to the back of their shirt, which other players will attempt to grab.
“We don't want to scare people away. The kids at five-years-old, aren't going to be bashing into each other,” said Bosch. “Basically, it's going to be a league, so they'll play against each other to start. But we're planning on eventually taking the kids to the mainland and playing against the clubs there as well.”
The men already have shirts designed for all the kids — with the help of some sponsorship — though more is needed to help pay for equipment, says Bosch. And if all works out, Coastal Wolves Rugby players should begin practicing in March.
“The Coast is quite soccer dominated,” says Bosch. “So, it will be nice to have an alternative for kids to get into.”
For more information about the league, the Coastal Wolves or rugby in general visit wolvesrugby.ca.
