Sport
2 April, 2025
Mini Stags are back
THE Lowood Stags Rugby League Club is bringing back its Mini Stags program for young rugby league enthusiasts after a five year hiatus due to funding constraints.
Last held in 2019, the program was suspended for several years due to insurance costs.
However, a new sponsor has stepped in this year, allowing the club to reinstate the initiative while keeping it affordable for families.
Club social media coordinator, Kelly Clark, said the program is for three to five-year-olds and is designed to get kids into sport as early as possible.
“It’s extremely important because you want to get them interested in the sport so they’ll want to do it from an early age,” she said.
“I think this program gives kids a taste of what certain sports are like, it’s important to get kids into sport as young as you can.”
15 boys and girls have already signed up, surpassing the club’s initial expectations.
“This number has exceeded what we were hoping for, we’d be happy if we don’t get anymore registrations,” Clark said.
“But we’ve got our head coaches including the president, vice president and coaching director, we’ve got plenty of adults to help so we can really take as many as want to come.”
The Mini Stags program will focus on fundamental rugby league skills, including ball handling, balance and coordination, through interactive games.
Clark highlighted the program’s strong track record of retaining players, citing her own son’s experience.
“My son who is 11-years-old was one of the last Mini Stags and the majority of his team is from that program,” she said.
“They have all grown up together, so that’s one good example of how this program can develop young players.”
The program begins on May 1 and costs $50 per child, covering eight weeks of training and a free Stags jersey.
