Our Story
Rugby Roos started small — one Wednesday afternoon session at PCYC Aitkenvale in Townsville, run by Sam, a lifelong rugby league fan who wanted his own son to fall in love with the game the way he had. There was no big plan at the start, just a handful of local toddlers, a bag of soft footballs, and an hour a week set aside for running around and having a laugh.
Word got around fast. Parents kept asking for another session, then another age group, then a weekend option so it didn't clash with nap times. What began as a single class grew into six sessions a week across Wednesdays and Sundays, split by age so every child gets activities pitched right for them. Sam still coaches most sessions himself, and it shows — the same patience and energy that started this thing in a local park is still what families tell us they love most.
As Rugby Roos has grown, so has the team behind it. We're lucky to now have a small crew of great staff members helping run sessions alongside Sam — all trained to bring that same patience and energy to every class, so the experience stays consistent no matter who's coaching that week.
We're now taking the first steps beyond Townsville, with Auckland set to be our next home. The plan has always been the same: grow one genuine, well-run session at a time, never at the expense of the thing that made this fun in the first place.
Our philosophy
We believe kids learn best through play. Every session blends games, coordination drills and simple team activities so children build confidence and coordination at their own pace — while parents get to watch from the sideline knowing their Roo is having a great time.
Growing with your Roo
How involved you are on the field changes as your child grows:
2–3 years
Full parent participation — you're out on the field with your toddler for the whole session, part of the fun every step of the way.
4–5 years
More independent — kids work with their coach on their own, though parents are always welcome (and encouraged) to stay, watch and cheer them on.
6–7 years
Fully independent sessions, run entirely by our coaches as kids build on their skills with more confidence.
What a session feels like
Warm-up games
Fun movement games that get little legs moving and hearts pumping.
Ball skills
Passing, catching and running drills scaled to each age group.
Team play
Small-group activities that build teamwork and following instructions.
Cool-down & high-fives
A relaxed finish so every session ends on a happy note.
A note on contact
Sessions include some light, controlled contact elements appropriate for the age group — like running into pads — alongside plenty of non-contact games and skills. There's no tackling or competitive contact at this age. See our FAQ for more detail.