::::: MACQUEEN AND RATS PUT FUN BACK INTO RUGBY FOR COLLAROY COUGARS :::::
The young players at the COLLAROY COUGARS got a special surprise during their club's annual Skills Day and Welcome BBQ at Griffith Park, Collaroy on Sunday.
RAT and former Wallabies Coach ROD MACQUEEN and members of the RATS 1st XV made a guest appearance to run the kids through drills as part of a new initiative to put the fun back into grassroots rugby.
The initiative was the brainchild of Collaroy Cougars Patron MACQUEEN and the Cougars Coaching Director BRUCE NICHOLAS, who together have developed a new and innovative approach to training junior players.
"We saw this as an ideal opportunity to showcase this new approach to our whole club," said NICHOLAS. "As far as possible we are trying to move away from the closed grid-type drills to more open game-like scenarios at training."
"We have devised games including Kick-Off Kings and Breakdown Bandits that fast track the development of game sense and awareness, whilst also being much more enjoyable and challenging for the players."
Reflecting on the importance of juniors to the future of the game, MACQUEEN agreed. "It's such a critical time for kids this age, when they are faced with choices about the sport they pursue – do they play NRL or Union or even another sport?"
"We wanted to put the enjoyment back into rugby training at this level. To show the kids that rugby can be fun," said MACQUEEN. "That's really important to developing rugby at the grassroots I believe. We've devised a new style of coaching for juniors that is designed to do just that."
For MACQUEEN, who has a long association with both the Cougars and the RATS, the attendance on Sunday was encouraging.
"Im thrilled at the turnout today – over 200 kids, it's beyond my expectations," he said. "I've been associated with the Cougars for many years. Im Patron obviously but this was my junior club – it was known as the Collaroy Plateau back then but I have great memories playing as a kid for the club and I remain a passionate supporter of the Cougars and of course the RATS."
Commenting on MACQUEEN's role as Patron of the club, NICHOLAS said, "Rod is very enthusiastic in his role as our club Patron. The Cougars could not ask for better guidance and advice."
"Rod was able to arrange for the RATS to participate and this meant a lot to our players and emphasised the strong relationship between the Cougars and the RATS. Among the RATS players present here today there were 5 former Cougars!."
One of those players is RATS Centre and Cougar EDWARD DOYLE who was thrilled to be able to give something back to his junior club.
"It was great to get back down to the mighty Cougars!" said DOYLE. "I'll never forget my first game of footy down there with my family and my grandparents. The excitement of running on for your first game is something that is hard to match these days."
"It was great to see all the young families down there enjoying their Sunday and the talent right across the board from the 6's to the older kids was fantastic. The work that Rod and everyone is putting in will only result in positives for the club and for junior rugby in general."
RATS 1st XV Captain LUKE HOLMES was quick to highlight the significance the day has not only for the Cougars and the RATS, but also for Northern Beaches rugby.
"This was an amazing opportunity for the RATS to link with one of Australia's greatest ever rugby coaches to help rugby on the beaches. But it's also exciting to be part of a new way of coaching," noted HOLMES.
"Rod has always been a coach who has been at the forefront of changing and improving the game. It was really great to see so many future RATS running around for the Cougars. The WRC is a rich part of our local community and the players are keen to play any part they can," said HOLMES.
Said MACQUEEN, "It's great for the RATS players here today, to be a part of this. I think they get a lot out of it but so too do the young players who get to interact with the players they go to see at RAT PARK and learn from them. Its great for everyone"
One young player was Cougar junior and RATS fan Jasper, who chose to wear his Rats T-shirt on the day. Said his father, "we try to get to most of the RATS home games. Jasper and his friends love it. And they get a kick out of getting on the main field at RAT PARK after the matches to play! He's had a ball today."
When asked what he thought the kids would take away from the day, NICHOLAS had no hesitation. "Hopefully good memories, mostly I think from seeing the RATS senior players training the same way we do, playing the same games like Kick-Off Kings and having fun doing it like we do!"
"There is tremendous local talent in the area. What the Cougars are offering is an opportunity for young players to have fun, make new friends and to learn and appreciate what the game of rugby has to offer."
For more information on the Skills Day and the COLLAROY COUGARS, including how to join the club go to their website www.collaroyrugby.com. All queries can be made via the Contact-Us section. New players and their families are always welcome!
CARN THE RATS …. SUPPORTING WARRINGAH JUNIORS AND CELEBRATING 50 YEARS IN 2014!!!
(images: Young Cougar Jasper in his RATS t-shirt, Ed Doyle explains a drill, Josh Holmes gives some tips, Jake Butcher with a few Cougars, Harry McBryde pads up, Ben Adams and Harry Jones watch Cougar's passing skills, Cougars show their tackling skills, Dave Feltscheer instructs some kids, Rod Macqueen and Bruce Nicholas explain their new initiatives, a young Cougar in action, Rod Macqueen takes time out with the RATS 1st XV)
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