After a four-year absence, rugby is back for under-15 boys at Raglan Area School, thanks to the determination of students, parents, coaches, and teachers.
The newly formed 15-a-side team has brought together a mix of returning players, newcomers to the sport and young athletes keen to give rugby a go.
Co-manager Rach Hudson, who supports head manager Tamara Bird, says they were surprised by how quickly the team came together.
“A lot of the boys finished up at Raglan Junior Rugby and hadn’t played since. We also have about six boys who had never played before, and they’re all doing really well,” she says.
Getting the team on the field has been a true community effort, with parents helping behind the scenes and volunteer coaches giving their time to develop skills and build confidence.
“We had Hamish Gordon help with coaching at the start of the season, and now Keith Bird, who hasn’t coached for many years, is doing an amazing job. Mitch Callaghan has also put his hand up to help, alongside Vinnie Woolston, Cody Swann and Alex Bell,” Rach says. “It’s a fantastic community vibe and everyone mucks in.”
While results on the field are important, Rach believes the team’s greatest success so far has been the culture they have created.
“It’s a real brotherhood of boys; a lot of them have been together since kindy,” she says. “There are some star players, but they don’t hog the limelight. They help the other boys coming through, which is really beautiful to see.”
Training sessions place a strong emphasis on inclusion, personal growth and enjoyment, alongside developing rugby skills and teamwork.
“Our coaches are so positive,” Rach says. “I’ve been to plenty of rugby games where the adults’ agenda overshadows the players enjoyment of the game, but that’s not what happens here. The focus is on encouraging the boys and helping them improve.”
A recent 95–5 victory over Hamilton Boys’ High School gave the players a real confidence boost, but Rach says the team’s attitude remains the same regardless of the scoreline.
“We’ve had some wins and some losses, and the boys are so positive. They don’t walk away from a loss upset or discouraged. They actually celebrate what they did well on the field,” she says. “The parents have built a great community around the team too, and we’re all just excited to be part of it.”
