THE BEERWAH Bulldogs are relaunching their junior’s rugby league program called the Pups Program, which starts Thursday May 26.
Pups program coach Ray Ballantyne said the program is a great way to introduce kids into rugby league without the contact.
“There is no contact in the program, it’s all just about getting comfortable with a football in hands, running into a pad, all those sorts of things,” he said.
“A program like this helps to settle those nerves … there’s already a tackle ready program where under 6s in rugby league don’t actually tackle anymore so there’s that pull tag sort of program.”
Ballantyne expects the program to have a minimum of 20 participants based on the enquiries they have had from parents but can facilitate up to 30 pups.
The program aims to promote healthy lifestyle through exercise and developing motor skills for kids and can even provide parents with a step into the club as a volunteer.
“The focus of the pup program really is an introduction to rugby league itself, but it also gives the kids an opportunity to come down to the club and have a small introduction into some of the skills,” he said.
“I think being a part of a team and relying on someone else and also giving yourself to a team and that sense of responsibility of being a part of something, the health benefits of physical activity, definitely helps with that hand eye coordination, that is important especially with the young ones.
“We’ve got coaches and managers out there in those age groups that were parents of that program with them being involved and all part of it.”
The program will take place at the Beerwah Sportsground from the 26th of May for 10 weeks from 4:30pm to 5:30pm.