Rugby League is undergoing a resurgence at Tweed River High School, thanks to some former players and dedicated teachers.
The school’s Sports Development Program coaching co-ordinator Jesse Coates said the school had always had a proud history on the league field and had once been a powerhouse in the sport in the local area.
“We are currently rebuilding the rugby league program at the school,” he said earlier this week at a training day held in conjunction with the Australian Rugby League Indigenous Program and the Titans. The day was also to launch the school’s “no school no play” program.
“Over the past few years we have lost a few of our coaches, but this year we have had three or four (teachers who are rugby league accredited coaches) transfer in.
“We have now got three league teams running again and we have re-introduced the sport into our sports development program.”
He said former Sydney-based players Neil Pengilly and Michael Ryan, who were already involved in mentoring programs within the school, had stepped in to help with the coaching.
And through League legend, former student and school hall of fame recipient, Larry Corowa and former player Ricky Walford, they had arranged for the ARL’s Indigenous Program to come to school for a skills day in conjunction with the Titans (a club run by another former Tweed River High student, Michael Searle).
An interested bystander at the event this week was former school student Ryan James. James, who is making a name for himself with the Titans in the NRL, came along as part of the club’s contingent. However, he is currently injured and was not able to physically participate. But it did not stop the up and coming youngster, who started his schooling at Tweed River before transferring to Palm Beach Currumbin, from answering questions and being on-hand to offer advice.
