Primary school students across the Clarence Valley will soon have more opportunities to get active, build friendships and represent their schools through a new Rugby 7s competition launching in Term 3.
The Clarence Valley Rugby 7s Schools’ Competition has been made possible through a $15,000 grant awarded to the Yamba Buccaneers Rugby Club under the NSW Rugby World Cup Legacy Grant Program 2025-26.
The competition will give boys and girls in Years 3 to 6 the chance to play Rugby 7s in a structured and inclusive environment, with under-10 and under-12 divisions featuring schools from across the Clarence Valley.
Delivered in partnership with NSW Rugby, the program will include coaching support, free player registration and matches hosted at rotating venues to make participation easier for schools and families across the region.
Clarence MP Richie Williamson said the program would create new opportunities for young people to get involved in sport and strengthen pathways into local clubs.
“This is a fantastic investment in grassroots sport and in the future of Rugby across the Clarence Valley,” Williamson said.
“The program will encourage more young people to get active, develop new skills and build friendships, while creating a clear pathway into local club Rugby.
“It is particularly pleasing to see a strong focus on increasing participation among girls, First Nations students and young people in regional communities.”
Yamba Buccaneers Club president Adrian Miller said the competition would help connect school sport with community rugby.
“This funding is a fantastic outcome for Rugby in the Clarence Valley,” Miller said.
“We’ve long recognised a gap between kids being introduced to the sport at school and finding their way into a club environment. The Clarence Valley Rugby 7s Schools’ Competition gives us the chance to bridge that gap – to get kids out on the field, develop their skills and show them there’s a place for them in Rugby.
“We’re especially proud of the focus on girls and First Nations participation, and we’re looking forward to working with NSW Rugby and local schools to make this an annual competition in our local sporting calendar.”
Organisers hope the competition will become a regular feature of the Clarence Valley school sporting calendar, encouraging more local children to stay involved in rugby and transition into community club programs in the years ahead.
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