Saturday was everything junior rugby is about. A grey sky, a damp ground, and a whole lot of beaming kids — Eltham Rugby was out in force at Harlequins, and what a morning it was.
Under 8s — First Match Day! 🌧️
Our U8s are running as a merged side with Kiwi Hawthorn and Maroondah this season, and Saturday marked their very first hit-out. Two halves, two opponents, and plenty of action.
First up was Racing/Southern Districts, before a second half against Endeavour Hills — a big squad who looked sharp in the warm-up. But what stood out most wasn’t their numbers, it was their spirit. When our combined side came up a little short on players, Endeavour Hills did what rugby people do: they shared their own kids to even things up, and their parents were on the sideline cheering and coaching both teams. That’s the game we love.
The rain held off just long enough, and every single kid walked off that field buzzing. A huge thank you to Manager Amelia for keeping everyone organised and calm on the day, and to Coach Tristan for getting the kids ready to play. First match — done. ✅
And perhaps the best summary of the morning came from the sideline. Manager Amelia overheard a couple of our boys saying “we want to play again” — and one young Eltham player summed it up perfectly on the drive home: “I can’t wait until next week.”
Say no more. 💛🖤
Get Into Rugby — First Saturdays! 🎉
On the next field over, something equally special was unfolding.
Eight Eltham kids took part in Get Into Rugby this week, split across the 4/5-year-old and 6/7-year-old groups. For some of them, it was their very first time playing sport on a Saturday morning — and you could see it in the wide eyes, the wobbly runs, and the enormous grins.
There were a few ouchies. A few shy moments. A couple of kids who needed a little encouragement to step onto the field. But that is exactly what this program is for — building confidence, making friends, and discovering that rugby is a place where they belong.
Parents cheered from the sideline, coaches kept the energy high, and the fun-and-games format did its job beautifully. These kids are just getting started. 🌟
What a way to kick off the season. Bring on next Saturday! 💛
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