TryZone Rugby

☀️ School holidays are here! ☀️

Let’s be honest… keeping kids entertained for two full weeks can be a challenge!

But while the weather is still on our side, it’s the perfect time to get them off screens and outdoors, making the most of everything our amazing region has to offer

Fresh air, movement, and play aren’t just fun — they’re crucial for development, confidence, and wellbeing

Too much screen time can have real long-term effects on a child’s brain function, focus, and behaviour, so now’s a great chance to reset and get active!

🏉 Whether it’s rugby, football, biking, walking, or just playing with friends…
Let’s get our kids moving!

Hot Steppers!

A quick reminder why a warm up and stretch is important before any exercise!
Last weekend at the Highlanders pre season game vs Moana Pasifika, I was "bullied" into taking part in the Dad Dash at half time!
About 15 meters into my (false) start, I tweaked my hammy going for an all out sprint, determined to be the one crossing that half way line first. Also determined not to look like "that dad" to the crowd by pulling up early, I continued to finish the race and you can see me clutching my leg with instant regret.
The rest of my weekend was spent struggling to walk anywhere or get in and out of the car so easily, and I'm still feeling it 5 days later 😂
Remember Dads, running a race with no warm up after sitting pitch side for the last hour is a recipe for disaster!

Weeks 4 & 5 Recap 🏉
These past two weeks gave us a great opportunity to introduce tackling to our new players and refresh safe tackle techniques for those with experience.

We stripped it right back to the basics — tackle height, points of contact, and safe landings — making sure everyone understood how to tackle safely and confidently.

The kids were awesome! Their enthusiasm and willingness to learn really stood out. Mistakes were made (as they should be!), but that’s exactly why we train — to practice, improve, and build confidence every step of the way.

Even the still practice their tackling every day! 💪

A Quick Catch-Up 🏉
We’ve been a bit quiet lately, but here’s a little update on what the kids have been up to during Weeks 2 & 3 — all about handling and passing skills!

We started with some simple warm-up drills, focusing on quick hands and sharp thinking to make those little pop passes. The players also had to use their peripheral vision to stay aware of where the ball — and their teammates — were at all times. 👀

We then worked on transferring the ball across the body without over-rotating the hips, helping to create faster, more accurate passes. 💨

A few of the favourite games from the schools included:
🏃‍♂️ Capture the Flag — teamwork and strategy in action
🏐 Rugby Netball — quick hands and finding space
🏉 Touch Rugby — putting it all together in game-like situations

The energy, teamwork, and improvement from everyone has been awesome to see!