Sunny Coast Crocs to compete in Tropical 7s as first ever Australian team
A Sunshine Coast junior sporting side will create history when they travel over 14000km to compete as the first ever Australian team in a prominent international rugby 7s tournament. Meet the players ready to shine.
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A Sunshine Coast rugby 7s side will create history later this month when they land in Tampa, Florida and compete in the Tropical 7s as the first ever Australian team.
The Sunny Coast Crocs was formed to provide increased high-level 7s opportunities for local players.
After being crowned undefeated champions of the Double Trouble 7s carnival on the Gold Coast in late 2023, the Crocs are now ready to take their talents internationally.
With over 172 competing teams in 2023, the Tropical 7s is the largest youth rugby event in North America and in the under-14 boys division, will feature various American Academy teams, Canadian sides and one from the Cayman Islands.
The squad is composed of a number of rising rugby union talents from almost every club on the Sunshine Coast and head coach Luke Zeremes said he was excited for the coming weeks.
“I was set to take an under-18 girls team to the same tournament in 2020 before Covid-19 hit and it was all cancelled so I’ve been keen to do something ever since,” he said.
“My son Zac has seen me do plenty of rugby coaching and touring so he said ‘Dad it’s my turn’ and from there he invited a few mates from his school, club and boys he’s played some representative footy with.
“From there we got in touch with the tournament organisers who were very keen to get us over there.”
Zeremes said the players had been integral in founding the club’s brand, name, mascot and logo as well as initiating regular fundraising opportunities.
“The sevens format is fresh to a few of the players but they’re picking it all up very well and will be a handy side,” he said.
“I’m trying to bring my representative knowledge to this young group because we want them playing the best footy they can when we’re over there but also really excelling when they’re 17 and 18-years-old.
“If they can go away on this tour, become better footy players and have some fun along the way then they’re the major boxes ticked on my end.”
The tournament will be held on March 29 and 30 and Zeremes said if all goes well he hoped to expand the invitation to more Sunshine Coast teams in the coming years.
Zeremes also thanked the sponsorship support from a number of Sunshine Coast businesses.
To support their trip a link to the GoFundMe and raffle prizes can be found here.
Before they fly out on March 25 we caught up with the boys to find out what their top skills are and what they’re looking forward to the most.
Sunny Coast Crocs 2024 touring side
Jack Tambling
Local Club: Brothers Rugby Club
School: Kawana Waters State College
“I’m excited to play some footy but also just to hang out with the other boys,” he said.
“I’m a centre or wing at club so I’m pretty quick and have a good step as well.”
Zac Zeremes
Local Club: Nambour Toads
School: St John’s College, Nambour
“I’m looking forward to playing with my mates and seeing what rugby 7s is like over in America,” he said.
“I think it will be a lot different to how it’s played in Australia but hopefully we can still perform well.
“I’m a fullback generally so I’d say my best traits are my speed and strength.”
Tonkla Phumtabim
Local Club: Maroochydore Swans
School: Good Shepherd Lutheran College
“It will be cool to play on an international stage, against new teams and with these boys,” he said.
“I love to tackle and to run the ball as hard as I can.”
Samson Leggo
Local Club: Nambour Toads
School: St John’s College, Nambour
“When I fly over I’m looking forward to playing with my mates and playing against other countries to see how they play rugby,” he said.
“I’m a flanker in club footy so I am a hard runner of the ball and a good defensive player.”
Beau Mattiazzi
Local Club: Nambour Toads
School: Nambour Christian College
“I’m excited to meet other people and to have a good player base to compete against,” he said.
“I hope to meet new people and experience a different rugby culture as well.
“I play flanker in my club rugby team so getting a bit more open running room in 7s is pretty cool and something I’m looking forward to.”
Nathan De Vries
Local Club: Maroochydore Swans (rugby league)
School: St John’s College, Nambour
“I’m really excited to go to America and I get to play with the other boys who are pretty good,” he said.
“I’m a halfback in rugby league so I would say my passing skills and ability to throw a decent dummy are two key traits of mine.”
Jordan Gormley
Local Club: Nambour Toads
School: St John’s College, Nambour
“I’m looking forward to playing with my mates and it’s a really exciting opportunity to meet new people, make new friends and play overseas,” he said.
“In 15-a-side I play fly half or inside centre so I’d like to think I’m a decent ballplayer and creating opportunities around the breakdown.”
Tai Henare
Local Club: Maroochydore Swans
School: Mountain Creek State High School
“I’m looking forward to competing against the other teams, playing alongside my mates and to really enjoy the atmosphere of a new tournament,” he said.
“I pride myself on stealing the ball, running hard and getting good offloads away.”
Peter Owens
Local Club: Maroochydore Swans
School: Maroochydore State High School
“I cannot wait to play rugby in Florida with some of the most talented boys from the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
“The main reason I am so excited is because we get to show our Aussie skills to America and showcase our different techniques and styles of play.
“It is such an honour to get a chance to play at such a high level.”
Mitchel Van Dyke
Local Club: Brothers Rugby Club
School: Caloundra State High School
“I want to represent my country, as the first Australian Rugby 7s team to enter the Tropical 7s competition, and fly the Aussie flag with pride,” he said.
“I cannot wait to see the American talent, I want to show the USA and the world how good we are and we want to win the comp.”
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