Rugby Union
The Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union Club was founded in 1985. It has a rich tradition built on strong bonds and success both on and off the playing field.
As president of Junior Dolphins, Scotty Cains provides an update on key aspects of the club’s distinguished history.
The club was formed after a group of rugby fans from the Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club, bar and bistro, met on a regular basis to socialise and drink. John Ford, who served as the bistro manager and was a rugby enthusiast, participated in the discussion.
“It was right here,” he’d say to anyone willing to listen, pounding his fist on the bar. “Everything happened at this very spot. The group decided to form a club, select a name, and choose its colours.”
The club’s name was simple, but choosing the colours prompted some hesitation. Someone pointed out that this club was their usual spot for drinking and socializing: and John Ford also believed the Surf club would back them. “So why don’t we take the surf club colours of maroon and white and use them,” someone suggested. All agreed, no further discussion needed.
“We would consolidate the club, register the name, and our club colours would be maroon and white.” Every bar manager has a favourite story—this was John Ford’s at Noosa Heads SLSC Supporters Club. It’s a story he would gladly retell whenever asked. A casual gathering of rugby fans unexpectedly led to a significant event in the club’s history.
Most successful clubs in our community have well-organised junior programs. For the Noosa Dolphins their program started in 1990, has grown significantly and is recognized by Queensland Rugby for its popularity within the Noosa area.
“We provide facilities for junior players from U6 to U16/17 Junior Colts and are proud to have one of the largest numbers of junior players on the Sunshine Coast. Many of these players transition through our club pathways into the senior ranks, thus demonstration the strength of our rugby community”
In 2025 13 men and women were selected for the Sunshine Coast Stingrays Representative squad, and 24 junior players from the Noosa Dolphins were chosen to represent the Sunshine Coast in the U12, U13, U14 and U16 age groups.
‘’I believe that the club’s success is largely due to our dedicated volunteers who generously share their knowledge and time with our junior players. From U13s we have non-parent coaches who commit their time to the juniors. Many coaches who played for the club and won senior premierships now mentor our junior teams.
With intergenerational players coming through the club, the Noosa Dolphins family is truly united. “Our club values of respect, inspiration and connection are evident across the fields, making us a source of pride for the community of Noosa.”
Amateur Boxing.
Following the recent achievements of the Team Impact Amateur Boxing Club, led by Head Coach Mark Evans, there is increased interest in identifying the factors that contribute to effective coaching in boxing. In addition to imparting the fundamental science of boxing, instructors must also convey several other critical elements to their students, including defensive techniques, and the importance of effective footwork, among others.
As with all sports, coaching methods and attitudes evolve over time, so modern coaches must adapt and stay informed. It is important for the AIS in Canberra, to stay informed about all areas of sports. It is the awareness that is the lifeblood of sport.
Mark Evans, Head Coach at Impact and Fitness Centre Cooroy, earned Boxing Australia’s Gold Accreditation at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra – a distinction held by few in Australia. Mark was one of 10 coaches Australia-wide to attend this course.
The four-day intensive course was delivered by national coaches and high-performance staff, covering the following. Advanced technical and tactical knowledge, hand wrapping and cut management, Video analysis and performance breakdown, periodization and strength and conditioning programming, presentation skills for camp, cornering strategies, managing jetlag and travel for competition and finally Integration into the National Coaching Pool.
His resume tells us that he has represented Australia at the highest level in coaching roles for many years. However, this accreditation is yet another amazing achievement to add to his accomplishments in boxing as a high-performance coach. This award ensures that coach Evans is certified to keep coaching at an international level under Boxing Australia and deliver high performance coaching to all our athletes.
To be selected for such an advanced course speaks volumes for the coach. A supporter of coach Evans once said, “It is not just success at tournaments that has Marks undivided attention, but also his love, care and deep concern for the youth from all levels of our community.”
This person has earned several awards, notably from a senior local police officer. “He has trained and mentored many of our local troubled kids, turned their lives around, led these kids from a life of crime and shown by example a better way to live.”
It only seemed like yesterday but in fact it was several years ago, that coach Evans made the remark, “I honestly believe that there is no such thing as a bad kid: sadly, most of our troubled kids are purely a product of a bad environment.” This comes from a coach who started in a small gym nestled amongst the trees and shrubs off Blueberry Drive, Black Mountain: a gym that in 2018 was rated one of the best amateur boxing clubs in Australia.
This is just another classic example of the sporting clubs and high standard coaching that is available to the youth of our community.
In swimming we have the legendary John Rogers (JR) in martial arts Yoshi Hasegawa Caza Jiu-Jitsu Club, Bryan Dukas Karate Noosa Club (Shotokan) Woogie Marsh of Barbell Weightlifting Club, Wes Burg, national ranked nipper coach Sunshine Beach, Sharlene Kelly kayak coach Noosa Heads.
The list goes on and on. In the clubs where “Football Boots are Required,” what the Noosa Rugby Dolphins and the Noosa Pirates Rugby League are doing for our youth, is definitely a major step in the right direction.
Most importantly parents should become more aware about activities available for young people in the evenings: encouraging participation in sports and recreational opportunities, rather than engaging in potentially harmful behaviours. This could be the first step to, “closing the gates of hell, that for some sons, have been left ajar.”
The cost associated with having young people represent Australia overseas is a well-known consideration. Making people aware that some of Australia’s top coaches are right here, could quickly attract sponsorship opportunities.
Our major hurdle is still and always will be geographical. Our isolation creates financial hardship for many families when competing internationally. Participating in international competitions is a must if their goal is the Olympics: and a possible Olympic medal.
