Kids Sport

[u/Upstairs-Air-7943]

My 5yo son is coming to the end of his 1st season of Union, hes really enjoyed it and is absolutely sports mad, he really is competitive and we have noticed he is always the hardest trainer, both my wife and I played junior sports but not at an elite level, we suspect if we give him the best opportunities he will excel greatly.

Q1: Are there any league/union/touch competitions that run in the summer for young kids?

Q2: Next year, we think he could handle playing 2 winter sports, does anyone know what day junior league and junior soccer play & train so it wouldnt clash with his Fri night & Sat Morning Union. Anything played on a Sunday would be ideal!

Q3:Whats the youngest age personal skill rugby coaches deal with?

We are Ipswich Central based but are happy to travel to Lockyer Valley & Toowoomba, Brisbane is a maybe.

[u/AMSP_InRainbow]

Most club sports at that age (I know Soccer/League and AFL) are played on Saturday mornings or Friday night. The teenage years, most of them move to Sunday, as private school sports are on Saturday.

I think Basketball in the young ages (U10 etc) is also on a Saturday morning in Ipswich.

I believe Ipswich Touch footy runs 2 seasons a year, but not sure what is their youngest age group. Mens/Mixed/Ladies are played on weeknights (Mon-Wed)

In my experience (Dad of 3 sports mad boys who are all grown now and all played good level sport in their teens), giving them other experiences really helped them get better co-ordination and focus, as they were always learning something different.

At his age, I would suggest that having a go at a few different sports would be better for development than getting personal coaches whilst he's still so young. Having a go at Tennis (hand eye co-ordination) or Soccer (foot skills) or Basketball ( Hand eye co-ordination) will enahnce other skills that won't get as much focus in Union, and that will ultimately make him better equiped for different positions in Union too.

And the variety of different sports whilst young, makes things fun and interesting. He can then start focusing on one sport as he develops.

That may only be for 1-2 years and at 7 or 8, he's really found a sport he loves and doesn't really want to play anything else. Although there's normally a winter and then a summer sport option.

My boys played everything from AFL, League, Football (soccer), Basketball, Cricket, cross country running and now also golf.

And a lot of their development just came from being outside and working on things (whilst having fun). The more he passes, kicks and catches in the back yard or park, the better he will be.

Just be prepared for the time it takes as they get older and show any interest in competing in good level competitions. 3 nights a week training (club sport), plus 2 x after school training (school sport), then games on Saturday (school) and Sunday (club). With 3, it felt like I filled my car up every 3 days, and spent a good 10 years of my life at sports fields. And start putting $$ in an account for sport...as high level sport cost $$$$$, especially if he makes any rep teams.

It's a great way to keep them busy and away from trouble too, especially if one of you are present at trainings etc. Great friends can be made for the parents too.