It's a familiar sight in many rugby league-mad families, a younger sibling patiently waiting, watching, and wishing they could join the action. For our four-year-old, Louie, that waiting game is officially over! Following in the footsteps of his older brother, Charlie, Louie has laced up his boots and is now a proud member of the Latchford Giants, kicking off his own exciting adventure in the world of junior rugby league.
A Family Passion: Rugby League Training & Match Days
Our home life revolves around the roar of the crowd and the smell of fresh-cut grass. With Charlie already playing both Rugby League and Rugby Union, our family schedule is packed, with up to five days a week dedicated to training sessions and matches. Louie has always been the loudest cheerleader on the sidelines, a constant fixture waving and cheering on Charlie and his teammates. It was clear to everyone, that it was only a matter of time before he demanded a spot on the pitch himself!
Latchford Giants Cubs: The Perfect Start to Junior Rugby
The journey into rugby begins early at Latchford Giants, with the Cubs team is specifically designed for children aged 4 to 6 years old. This is where Charlie's own rugby journey began eight years ago
Cubs rugby is all about fun and fundamental development, it’s not about the rough and tumble contact of the game. The focus at this age is on:
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Learning to Be Part of a Team: Developing social skills and understanding the value of cooperation.
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Listening and Following Instruction: Responding to the coach and developing early discipline.
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Developing Core Skills Through Games: Engaging in fun, interactive activities designed to build the agility, ball-handling, and movement patterns that form the foundation of future rugby skills.
First Session Nerves & Nostalgia
Despite a chilly start to the evening, Louie was bursting with excitement for his first rugby league training session. He was layered up and ready to go, but his preparation included a few sentimental nods to his big brother. His boot bag was packed with Charlie’s old Latchford headguard (a future essential, but a fun prop for now!) and a pair of cherished hand-me-downs, the dinky black and white retro Puma Kings that were Charlie's very first pair of rugby boots, saved especially for this moment.
Arriving at the field, Louie was the youngest there, but his enthusiasm and confidence quickly shone through. He might have been the youngest, but he certainly wasn't the smallest, fitting right in with the group. He’d occasionally glance over, offering a reassuring little thumb's up to confirm he was having a great time, absolutely loving in the drills and games.
The Power of Teamwork, Discipline, and Resilience
The session finished and Louie ran over with a beaming smile and an immediately told us how much he had loved it. More importantly, he ran straight back over to his coach and gave him a heart-warming "thank you."
Watching Louie embrace this new challenge at such a young age fills us with pride. Rugby league, even at this foundational level, is a brilliant vehicle for teaching invaluable life lessons. We know this experience will continue to instil in him the importance of teamwork, discipline and resilience. We can’t wait to cheer on Louie as he grows with the Latchford Giants Cubs, learning, laughing, and building a passion for the greatest game!
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