Back in 2017 I was looking at changing careers. My job delivering beer around Sydney had its perks but after 16 years the lower back and shoulders were starting to get some regular aches and pains.
I wanted to do something I was passionate about.
I asked the NRL if there was any work and they sent me to a webpage that had jobs, but they required some experience in the junior league or a degree in sport science.
I didn’t go to uni, so I thought I could get some experience in junior league – and just so happens I had a friend who coached his son’s under 10s team in the Penrith district and the club’s training field is only a five-minute drive from my house, so I asked if I could help out.
The following year, 2018, I turned up to training and helped pick up the cones. When the first trial came around, I’d barely worked out a couple of the kids names and we lost 48-0. I thought, ‘this is an awesome challenge’ and told the coach, “don’t worry, we’ll make the grand final”.
There were improvements every week, the players were starting to come together, and won a few games. I was starting to get in the groove, just telling the kids how awesome they are – when the team the other teams would score, I told them they are still doing well and just this and that need fixing up a bit.
I tried to keep it simple – like let’s just complete our next set of six and get the kick away, or score a try – my motto was run hard, tackle hard.
We finished the season in second place and only lost three games, so we made the semi-final and won both matches to make the grand final against a team that had beat us twice – the same team that beat us in the first trial.
This is where I could tell you we won and everyone lived happily ever after, but we lost two tries to three. Still, the boys played so well that it was a touch-and-go affair.
The following year I changed jobs and the coach changed the days and times for training, so I had to miss a few games. The boys made the semis but were knocked out by the same team that beat them in the decider the year before.
The reason I’m telling this story that is I see people on this site moaning about how junior league is declining, so my solution is if you are in a stable situation and looking for something to fill a little void in life, volunteer for your local club. They will welcome you with open arms, as most clubs need more volunteers, and the kids’ enthusiasm is contagious.
Contributing has its rewards and watching any of these kids playing in the NRL in a few years would be awesome – I suspect some of the kids I trained will!
Training will start in the first week or two of February, so if you’re interested, get in contact with your local club and teach the next generation to run hard and tackle hard.
edward
Guest
Even super optimist V'landys doesnt believe this - we have just undergone a pandemic with less money flowing - time to bunker down not expand
Rob9
Roar Guru
One of my Top 5 reads on the Roar. Thanks Mick.
Kick n Clap
Guest
Mick, Great article and a lot what you said can be achieved when you volunteer and see little improvements every week to sides. My main gripe though with Rugby League is lack of belief and money wasting on silly gimmicks. What does RU have that we don’t have is more World exposure. The NRL has to “start growing some balls “ and move forward with a proven plan. First one is we got to make National Rugby League actually a National competition? Let’s put a marker down now and say that Perth & the second Brisbane team are joining in say two seasons time. Fullstop. Next NRL /ARL has start promoting International Rugby League properly and stop being the party pooper? The best kept Australian Export secret has been the Kangaroo’s for far too long. Why keep Australia best International team bar none on home home soil year after year makes my blood boil. In 1982 when invincible’s toured Britain, I was wowed by sheer skill & professionalism of the touring party. RL at that time was light years ahead of RU and if we apply ourselves can still be the more advanced and exciting game? Every fan, supporter, administrator and Board member has take a look in the mirror and say how do we keep the “ Greatest Team Sport in the World “ relevant and how do we make the code thrive and continue to grow. This is where we’ve got the jump on the AFL. People say the market too crowded in Sydney and QLD and Brisbane is the “holy grail”. I not so sure, but Perth is ready and waiting and has the scope. It also in my opinion has the biggest untapped source of potential new recruits, because of WA size and because other codes are strong there too. In WA we do a hell of a lot mining. I’m sure there is a few rough diamonds we can polish and few Gold Seams we can get too, to make Perth competitive. Back to the original story line. If the NRL volunteer’s it resources to properly build the game here the game grow no question. Let’s promote the game starting in Esperance and work are way up to Kununurra. You’ve only got to see what Twiggy ‘s trying to do, “even though he’s trying to flog a dead horse.”?
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Mick, a good story told with clarity and a good dose of realism. Good job.
Big Daddy
Guest
When you look at junior sport particularly in NSW and Qld rugby league is probably the main go to sport for young kids more so at age groups under 12 . Most of these junior clubs usually feed into some sort of senior club system. This year some competitions hardly got off the ground due to to COVID and next year hopefully will be different more so in the country areas where distance plays a big part of where competitions can be held. Most junior clubs seem to have plenty of people involved ( mainly parents) and one of the big components will be finances and some leadership from NSWRL and QRL toake sure these competitions go ahead at junior and senior level across both states.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Gotta look after the grass roots, that's for sure.
Paul
Roar Guru
Great story Mick. I still have a number of friends I made when coaching the kids. IMO there's nothing more rewarding than seeing a kid who's been told he can't play, do something special, like make a try saving tackle. It's also amazing just how well the kids respond to positive input too.
Tony
Roar Guru
Great article Mick. As you say, volunteering has its own rewards. Some of my best sporting memories come from my junior coaching days. Maybe some of your readers will be inspired to follow your lead.