The Mandurah Pirates have set their sights on developing their next generation of stars with a huge push to grow and mentor their junior base for this coming season.
The rugby union club is exploring and implementing several initiatives to engage with the town’s youth this coming season, kicking off with a six-week fitness schedule run at local gym True Grit Thai Boxing specifically tailored to young kids.
The pre-season program will see the club’s juniors running through a solely fitness-based regime for the first time, and comes as part of a push from the Pirates to get more teenagers and children involved in sport.
Mandurah Pirates management officer Nicole Gill said the club was thrilled to be offering its first ever pre-season fitness initiative for juniors.
“We’re really hoping to drive our development pathways this year, so to be able to hold things like the pre-season for the kids is something we’re excited about,” she said.
“It’s all about getting them engaged in sport, making sure they enjoy it and that they feel like they belong as part of our club.
“The amount of teenagers and young kids participating in sport is quite low at the moment, and as a local club we’re keen to turn that around and really engage with our youth.
“We’re a tight-knit family at the Pirates and the benefits young people can take from just being part of any sporting club are massive.”
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Three junior Pirates that will be hitting up the gym for the six-week training initiative are youngsters Indianna Timms, Chloe Thomas and Daniel McShane.
The trio said they were excited to take on a different kind of challenge.
“Usually we just have a few training sessions before the season starts so it’s going to be good to do something different,” Chloe said.
The three young guns have all experienced the benefits of being involved with a sporting club through the Pirates, saying it had also seen them gain confidence off the field.
“Rugby has helped me a lot with school and it’s great to just be part of a team,” Daniel said.
“It’s always really good because you feel really welcomed at the club,” Indianna added.
To learn more about the Pirates’ pre-season call Nicole Gill on 0407 179 021 or visit the Mandurah Pirates’ Facebook page.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
