Inclusive rugby union program taking the Sunshine Coast by storm

A number of junior Sunshine Coast sporting talents have been showcasing their skills through a new inclusive rugby union program for people with disabilities.

Some of the Sunshine Coast's MRP players. Pictures: Patrick Woods.

Two Sunshine Coast sporting clubs have joined forces to offer a new inclusive rugby union training program for children and teenagers with disabilities.

Ginger Cloud, a program started in 2014 by a husband and wife duo, has now branched out to the Sunshine Coast with local rugby union clubs Brothers and Caloundra Lighthouse taking part in the Modified Rugby Program (MRP).

Brothers treasurer Nicole Patelesio and Caloundra junior president Jess Broadhurst are the voices behind the operation that currently features 11 participants across the four week program.

“It consists of players with neurodiverse mental health and physical disabilities with a wide range of participants that are non-verbal, have intellectual disabilities and even cystic fibrosis,” Patelesio said.

“They get partnered up with a player mentor who helps them in the training sessions and in the games and they’ve been amazing at adapting to it all.

“The player mentors are just volunteers from our local rugby union clubs and they range from junior under-12s to A-grade players, to local referees and even parents of other junior players.”

Sunshine Coast Brothers rugby union treasurer Nicole Patelesio and Caloundra junior president Jess Broadhurst. Picture: Patrick Woods

Patelesio said the feedback from the players and the parents had been phenomenal.

“Brothers started the pilot last year on the Sunshine Coast before Caloundra joined us this year and we hope to expand again by one or two clubs each time,” she said.

“The parents explained that their children have been watching for years and could never play or join in so they love the inclusion and they love that their children can be a part of the community and have a greater sense of belonging.”

Former NRL and Super League player Mose Masoe suffered a severe spinal injury in a tackle in January 2020 and was partially paralysed. Source: Instagram @mosemasoe

Mose Masoe, a former NRL star who suffered a horror tackle that left him paralysed from the neck down, has also been a driving force behind the program.

Despite having no affiliation with either club previously, Masoe has attended each session, acting as a sounding board for the players and showing them that there’s room for participation for everyone.

Brothers and Caloundra’s inclusive rugby union teams. Picture: Adrian Bell Photography.

Broadhurst said the group training sessions were filled with positive encouragement and skill learning.

“For them to be able to participate is one thing but every session you can hear the laughter, the communication, the try celebrations so it not only means a lot to our players but also their families and our player mentors,” she said.

“It has a huge ripple effect on everyone because you’ll see the other junior coaches and players turn up for their training sessions and they’ll see what we’re doing so it creates another conversation there which further educates more and more people.

“I know the players get so much out of it but they’ve taught us so much as well.”

Meet the incredible players and read what they most enjoy about the sport.

Sunshine Coast rugby union’s MRP stars

Miller Walsh, 12

Miller has a cracking right foot and loves kicking the ball as far as he can.

He was his favourite thing about the sessions is always high giving his friends and teammates.

Sunshine Coast inclusion rugby union star Miller Walsh. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Kaleb Harcus, 16

“I actually enjoy watching the footy and I love goalkicking,” Harus said.

Sunshine Coast inclusion rugby union star Kaleb Harcus. Picture: Patrick Woods.

James Richards, 8

“I just love playing with the ball,” Richards said.

“Running around with my friends is also good fun.”

Sunshine Coast inclusion rugby union star James Richards. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Lachie Herbet, 11

Herbert loves scoring tries, the cheering from the crowd, noises from the whistle and the overall energy of the game.

Sunshine Coast inclusion rugby union star Lachie Herbet. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Louis ‘The Legend’ Pouliot, 8

Louis mum said he loves scoring tries but also enjoys watching his cousins play for Caloundra.

Sunshine Coast inclusion rugby union star Louis 'the legend' Pouliot. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Aurora Willmott, 10

Aurora’s player mentor said she loves the social part of the sessions.

She has heaps of fun being part of a team, playing in the controlled environment and learning new skills.

Sunshine Coast inclusion rugby union star Aurora Willmott. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Carter Neumann, 7

“I just love to run, really fast,” he said.

Sunshine Coast inclusion rugby union star Carter Neumann. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Hannah Muller, 11

Muller’s mum said Hannah loves having fun and learning new skills like her older brother.

“It’s been amazing and she really feels part of something,” she said.

Sunshine Coast inclusion rugby union star Hannah Muller. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Elias Bale and Cooper Erickson

Both players said they loved scoring tries and playing with their teammates.

They also enjoy breaking out their best try celebrations each time.

Player mentors Hayden Burnett and Lachie Bishop with their inclusion rugby union stars Elias Bale and Cooper Erickson. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Narita Tutaka-George, 8

Narita loves playing with new friends and getting her lollipop afterwards because she doesn’t like candy only strawberry and cream lollipop which are bought especially for her.

Inclusion rugby union player Narita Tutaka-George. Picture: Adrian Bell Photography.

Originally published as Inclusive rugby union program taking the Sunshine Coast by storm