The Entrance launches Tigers Trytime disability rugby league program

While anticipation is high with the local rugby league season just around the corner, another very special initiative is set to kick off on the Central Coast.

The Entrance is launching its Tigers Trytime disability rugby league program. Picture: supplied

While anticipation is high with the local rugby league season just around the corner, another very special initiative is set to kick off on the Central Coast.

On Monday The Entrance Rugby League club will launch its Tigers Trytime program, giving those with a disability the opportunity to emulate their heroes on the football field.

The 10-week program, which kicks off on April 8 at 4:30pm at Edsacc Oval, is a mixed disability rugby league initiative open to people of all ages and skill levels. The sessions will run for one hour and all costs for registration, insurance and gear will be covered by The Entrance Leagues Club.

“It’s primarily about having fun,” said Laurie Weir, one of the coaches running the sessions. “People with disabilities love football, they watch it on TV and they’ve all got favourite teams, so part of it is being able to give them the fun, enjoyment and excitement involved in it.”

Described as being “half games and half learning”, Weir says the program will cater to a broad group of people, regardless of ability.

The Entrance Leagues Club will fund the program. Picture: supplied

“We’re going to teach them some basic skills on how to pass and other things and then we’ll play Oztag – there won’t be any contact.”

The launch of the full program comes after the club ran a successful ‘come and try’ day in mid-March, which confirmed that there was plenty of interest.

“They loved it and were laughing, diving between the posts, scoring tries and stuff. It was really, really good,” said Weir.

“Four or five of the guys who turned up had Roosters or Tigers jerseys on and they knew all the players. There was a guy running around in a Roosters jersey who told me to call him Joey Manu.”

The program is described as “half games and half learning”. Picture: supplied

The idea is the brainchild of Weir and Kyle Whiteford, both NRL-accredited coaches who have a long history coaching with The Entrance.

“It’s something that just came up as a discussion and things just evolved from there. We obviously saw the need for it and it’s been in the back of our minds for a period of time,” said Weir.

They’ll be joined by full-time disability support worker Dick Fealy, who will help the pair in working with the participants and running the sessions.

They won’t be alone though, with some of the Tigers’ juniors joining in to lend a helping hand.

The 10-week program starts on 8 April. Picture: supplied

“Part of the program is that our under-14s come down and help us do it,” said Weir. “And next year it’ll be the under-14s again so that each year one age group does it and then passes through. They loved it (the ‘come and try’ day) and mixed really well with everyone. They had fun and everyone enjoyed each other’s company.”

And while the initiative is primarily tailored for the participants, they won’t be the only ones catered for.

“It’s also designed as a bit of respite for their carers and parents. It’s like an hour, hour and a half where they can sit in the grandstand at Edsacc and the leagues club will fund drinks for them and something to eat,” said Weir.

“We want to make it a community thing. For those people who sit down for an hour and a half they’ll be able to have a bit of a chat, watch everyone have a bit of fun out there on the field. It’s not just about the hour on the field – we’re trying to make it a bit of a community thing too.”

More information can be found on this link or by contacting The Entrance Leagues Club.