Junior rugby players from across the Darling Downs took to the fields at Downlands College on Sunday for the region's stop on the Harvey Norman Heart of Rugby Regional Tour, learning from Classic Wallabies Curtis Rona and Shirley Russell AM.
The clinic formed part of a national program of 40 regional clinics delivered by the Australian Rugby Foundation and Rugby Australia with the support of Harvey Norman, running through the winter months and aimed at girls and boys aged 10 to 12.
Players worked through a series of skill stations before moving into game-based activities, delivered by coaches from Rugby Australia and Queensland Rugby Union. Rona and Russell spent the morning working alongside the groups, sharing their own pathways into the game and fielding questions from players and parents.
The tour sits within the Australian Rugby Foundation's grassroots work and supports Rugby Australia's target of growing registered player numbers by 30 per cent by 2029, ahead of the 2027 and 2029 events on home soil. Harvey Norman's backing extends to the Get into Rugby program, with the retailer and Rugby Australia aiming to double Get into Rugby participation at local clubs by the end of the decade.
The morning also included a junior law review session for coaches, parents and match officials, covering the laws that apply to junior grades and the reasoning behind them.
Consistent understanding of junior law across the three groups supports safer games and more even contests, and reduces friction on match day. Engagement in the session was strong, with attendees raising scenarios from their own competitions.
QRU would like to Downlands College for hosting the clinic and for the support provided by its staff on the day; Curtis Rona and Shirley Russell AM for donating their time to the region's juniors; Zach Elliott and Rugby Australia for coordinating delivery; and Harvey Norman for its backing of regional rugby.
