Deadly Rugby Camp: ‘Changing the hearts and minds of kids’

The inaugural Deadly Rugby Camp has set sights on growing a love of rugby while teaching all the benefits that come from sport.

Deadly Rugby is committed to educating young children on the benefits of sport and culture. Picture: Contributed.

Rugby union in the NT is set for a big shake-up with the introduction of Deadly Rugby.

A social enterprise with a vision to make a difference in kids’ lives, the program focuses on creating opportunities through sport and access to sporting equipment for Indigenous kids, as well as creating cultural immersion programs that educate, inspire and create cultural champions for non-Indigenous children.

“Our aim is to promote a healthy lifestyle through sport and giving them the equipment to do so,” founder of Deadly Rugby Toby Ellis said.

“We have three pillars, after school, gear and camps.

“Deadly rugby after school is where we connect Indigenous kids in communities with local rugby clubs.

“The kids get to go to school then they get to go to rugby training and directly after that they get a feed.

“So hopefully it means they’ve spent the day at school, had a kick of the footy in the afternoon then head off with a belly full of tucker.

“But the main jewel is the Deadly Rugby Camps.

“The aim is to make this an annual thing with two camps a year and up to eight schools from down south coming up to participate with our players.”

Sydney’s Shore and Barker will be the first two schools to participate in the first camp in April.

A week-long immersion camp, the week will finish with two games, one between the two schools and an NT Combined Barbarians side against a combined Shore/Barker side the following night.

The camps will be held this April and September. Picture: Contributed.

Shore’s head of rugby David Mason-Jones said he’s excited to bring his students to Darwin and provide them with a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“Shore is keen to enable opportunities for our students to learn more about our country, its history and the connection Indigenous Australians have with the land,” he said.

“To combine sport into such a trip, seemed like a logical move to make.

Barker’s director of rugby Manny Posadas had similar sentiment to Mason-Jones, also citing his excitement for the unique trip.

“We are thrilled at the prospect of combining two fundamental pillars of life at Barker: Rugby and Indigenous education,” he said.

“This presents a remarkable opportunity to immerse our students in the rich tapestry of the NT, showcasing its natural wonders and fostering a deep appreciation for its enduring Indigenous heritage.

“Through the medium of rugby, we aim to install common values shared by our sport while delivering a holistic educational experience.

“This initiative embodies our commitment to sporting excellence and cultural understanding, and we eagerly anticipate its implementation.”

KEY INFORMATION

Deadly Rugby Camp April 2024

When: 22 April – 27 April 2024

Who: Shore School, Barker College, Northern Territory Rep Squad

What: Rugby Camp in Darwin for 16As

– First Nations cultural immersion program that provides touring school kids with access to local Indigenous elders and players as they visit breathtaking country, meeting the traditional owners of the land, having an experience of a lifetime building real connections, First Nations awareness and care.

– Inspiring First Nations kids to play rugby, providing real opportunities for kids through sport

– Inspiring more kids at schools to play rugby younger, knowing that there is a Tour in year 9

– Supporting grassroots Rugby through integrated training sessions enabling player and coach development by elite schools coaching professionals

– Developing young officials and bringing young referees at the schools into the camp