THE Noosa Pirates are calling on local businesses to support their new Young Guns program that aims to encourage players to engage with the game.
The program has come from a significant reduction in the participation rates of youths in the 13 to 17 age group, not only in rugby league, but sports in general.
The Noosa Pirates Young Guns program hopes to provide recourses and support for young men during what is a time of significant personal growth and development, as well as help the participants aim high and achieve their personal goals.
The program isn’t a representative team, but is there to expose participants to a variety of training to not only improve their rugby league skill set but to also improve their general level of health and well-being.
The training includes beach sessions, weights, boxing, education in diet, leadership development, as well as discussions around the effects of drugs and alcohol.
The highlight of the program is a trip to Sydney where 20 players between 14 and 16 years go behind the scenes of local NRL clubs to learn about professional and sporting opportunities.
The Noosa Pirates sent a group of 13 players to the Canberra Bulldogs grounds last year, with all players enjoying a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to play in the big league.
To help fund the program, the Noosa Pirates are calling on the local business community to help sponsor the program for the teens.
Anyone who would like to participate in the program or help sponsor the program can contact Tony Rutledge on trutledge@gmx.com.
