Rugby union mums taking Coast sport head-on for Caloundra, Maroochydore and USC honoured on Mother’s Day

A group of inspirational Coast women are leading their footy-loving children by example after taking up and embracing the hard hitting world of rugby union.

Coast mums Amanda Edwards, Angela Coombes, Jane Greenland and Lola Raymond. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A group of inspirational Coast women are leading their footy-loving children by example after taking up and embracing the hard hitting world of rugby union.

Five mums across Caloundra, Maroochydore and University have been lacing up in the Coast's senior women's competition over the past few years, with their children also hitting the field.

Amanda Edwards plays for Caloundra with her two sons representing Maroochydore.

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Lola Raymond also plays for Caloundra with her two sons junior Lighthouses talents.

Jane Greenland has been gifted a special chance, also at Caloundra, with her daughter Eloise old enough to play in the same women's team.

Meanwhile, Angela Coombes and her son Brock don Maroochydore colours and Sarah Ridgewell and her daughter Bronte play for USC.

Coast rugby mums Amanda Edwards, Angela Coombes, Jane Greenland and Lola Raymond pictured with their children, Levi Edwards, 7, Brock Coombes, 13, Carter Greenland, 7, and Sonny Edwards, 10. Picture: Patrick Woods.

After growing up with few opportunities to embrace women's sport, Coombes has dived into rugby union and loved every minute of it.

She first got involved in the sport in honour of her brother who was forced out of the game following a heart attack.

"It is tough on the field and it really wakes you up to how hard it is to play rugby when you're tackling and with all the physical contact," Coombes said.

"But, once you get into a really good team and realise you can rely on your teammates and you realise how many people support you (it's great).

"Women put children first or their family first or relationship first or work first and never really put themselves or socialising in sport as a priority.

"So, on the team when you're playing rugby, you prioritise all of your teammates to support them through and that support network is often what is missing from a lot of females lives when having children and being a bit older."

Amanda Edwards, Lola Raymond, Jane Greenland and Angela Coombes. Picture: Patrick Woods.

As a single mum, Coombes said she also looked to be a mentor and set a good example for her son.

"Becoming the best role model you can possibly be for your children, that's one of the reasons why I play rugby," she said.

"To be the best role model I can be both on and off the field.

"Because he is such a rugby head he really looks up to anyone that plays footy so it's great that he can look up to me while I play."

Ahead of Mother's Day on Sunday, Coombes and her son would be heading down to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night to watch the Reds take on the Brumbies.

Eloise (centre) and Jane (right front) Greenland in action for Caloundra. Picture: Adrian Bell Photography

Caloundra's Jane Greenland said coming from a big rugby family she had always aspired to play the sport.

In a repeating of history, she was savouring the opportunity to lace up on the same team as her daughter Eloise this season.

It's Eloise's first season.

"I played when I was 15 and I played with my mum back then and now I'm playing with my daughter," she said.

"It's pretty special and it's good to get her active and involved with the club.

"She's enjoying it and it's good to see her enjoying it and being part of the team."

Greenland's son Carter also plays at the club.

Coombes was grateful for all that the governing body and her club did to get women into rugby.

"There are some really good supporters of women in sport at Sunshine Coast Rugby Union and I think it's important that they're acknowledged and thanked as well," she said.

Originally published as Rugby union mums taking Coast sport head-on for Caloundra, Maroochydore and USC honoured on Mother’s Day