Roma kids train for union

Kids in Roma trained with senior coaches from Toowoomba Grammar School and development coaches from the Queensland Reds on Tuesday.

Boys aged 12 to 16 were invited to train with senior rugby coaches from Toowoomba Grammar School. Picture: Jorja McDonnell

RUGBY UNION: Some of Roma's youngest footy players made the most of a valuable experience on Tuesday, enjoying a special training clinic with top coaches from Toowoomba Grammar School and the Queensland Reds.

This is the first time the clinic has come to Roma, aimed at supporting the code and giving kids the opportunity to train under professional coaches and develop their core skills.

Boys and girls as young as five joined the Rookies2Reds program, enjoying an afternoon of fun activities with development coaches, while the older boys - 11 and up - had an intensive training session with TGS senior coaches.

Senior Coach Jono Farrell said it's important to foster a love of the game.

"The main reason we run these clinics is grassroots rugby.

"At the end of the day we all love the game.”

The clinic doubled as an information session for the older players and their parents, who may be considering Toowoomba Grammar as an option for their sons.

Mr. Farrell says rugby is huge drawcard for many students.

"We have a lot of boys who have come from here that are 'leaguies', and they have come to us and played union, so these clinics are very important to us in that respect.

"At Toowoomba Grammar we have over 600 boys playing the game every year, from under six right through to First XV.

"It's a large group of boys playing, and many come from boarding families out here, so it's important for us to come out here and expose them to rugby union.”

While Roma is very much a rugby league town, Farrell encouraged the older boys to nurture their love for rugby union, and even play both codes so they can enjoy sport when they reach secondary school.

Originally published as Roma kids train for union