It was like the worlds biggest Kindergarten Carnival as hundreds of pre-school rugby league participants from Cronulla JRL's junior clubs along with their parents and volunteers invaded Shark Park for an end of year Gala Day event.
Registrations in our pre-school rugby league programs which are executed by our local junior clubs are at an all time high just like our junior rugby league participation levels in 2023. This season 8 out of our 13 JRL clubs ran some version of a pre-school rugby league program which offers kids an opportunity to socialise and have fun learning some basic concepts of the game and improving their overall gross motor skills.
The clubs which ran programs in 2023 and attended the end of season gala day included:
Tiny Crocs (Como Jannali)
Mini Dragons (Engadine)
Bosco Pups (Bosco)
Little Stingrays (Kurnell)
Munchkins (De La Salle)
Little Fins (Cronulla-Caringbah)
Little Roosters (Menai)
Tiger Cubs (Yarrawarrah)
These programs are fantastic for getting younger kids involved in our local clubs and providing them with an interest to come and play junior rugby league once they come of age. Of course none of this would be possible without the commitment of the clubs, the parents and volunteers who give up their time to run these programs through out the season.
As you will see from the smiles in all of the photos below, the kids had an absolute blast as they ran up the tunnel and onto the field in front of the cameras and of course their adoring family and friends.
They spent the next hour working their way through different games and skill stations which had been setup on Shark Park before finishing up and taking home some great memories and of course a well deserved lolly bag.
We would like to thank Dino Mezzatesta (Sharks CEO) for providing access to the stadium and playing field to host the event as well as John Mannah, Hew Ellis (NSWRL) and all of the parents and volunteers for making the event once again a huge success.
***
Pictures: Adam Wrightson (Cronulla JRL).
High resolution photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/xGp15R8viB9HAm6a9
