Rookies2Reds has been rated as the best school-based junior sports program by participants at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School in Coorparoo.
Over 75 children were captivated by their first Rookies2Reds experience in August when participants took part in the first of five weekly after school sessions.
Mother Jackie Kerr was instantly impressed by the Rookies2Reds program and said the high level of engagement between the qualified coaches and students made it the most enjoyable sporting program their school has sampled.
“Many parents at our school believe Rookies2Reds is superior to other sport’s similar programs which also visit our school,” Ms Kerr said.
“We especially prefer the higher activity level at Rookies2Reds and the energy levels displayed by the Queensland Rugby coaches and staff throughout the sessions.
“Kids can lose interest with too much standing around and waiting for their turn, however Rookies2Reds has proven especially engaging with all of our kids.
“It was also easy to set up the program at our school at relatively short notice and the program introduction was efficient and successful.”
Queensland Rugby aims to make each Rookies2Reds session as engaging as possible for its participants by running a number of different skill stations that are all-inclusive activities.
Participants are also split into manageable sized groups so that coaches can focus on and provide direct feedback.
Though the success of the first Rookies2Reds session at Mt Carmel and after the positive feedback received, the school and Queensland Rugby Development Officer Kieran Moffat have plans to turn the program into a regular event.
“Mount Carmel has been a great host centre, all the kids have loved the program and the feedback we are getting from parents and school staff is great,” Moffat said.
“The school and I are already taking the necessary steps to make our visit to Mt Carmel a regular occurrence, which is great for the program and kids moving forward.”
Rookies2Reds is designed to introduce school-aged boys and girls to the game of Rugby.
So far over 2,900 Queensland participants have taken to the fields to emulate their Queensland Reds heroes, across the 80-plus Rookies2Reds centres that are now operating state-wide.
Led by highly qualified coaches, the program features five weekly after-school sessions designed to teach kids the basic skills of Rugby while introducing them, and their families, to the fun of the game.
As well as professional coaching, participants will also receive a special Rookies2Reds pack which includes a variety of gear including a backpack, water bottle, cap, slap band, and Reds team height comparison chart.
Operating in the same space as AFL’s Auskick program, In2Cricket and Netball’s Net Set Go – Rookies2Reds is currently being rolled out to Queensland primary schools and connects participants and their families with their local junior Rugby club, and Rookies2Reds centre.
Rookies2Reds is Queensland Rugby’s inclusive, introductory program and provides Queensland kids with pathway to progress from being a rookie to a Red. Its success will assist in increasing junior participation levels and support the growth of Rugby within the competitive Queensland sporting marketplace.
To sign up for the Rookies2Reds program, simply visit www.Rookies2Reds.com.au.
ENDS