ADDING FUN, FOOTY AND A DAY AT THE BEACH

IT won’t be all fun and games in the sand this beach rugby season, with a serious switch helping drive new competition in the fledgling sport.

About 50 First Nations players this week attended a three-day camp at Tallebudgera, with the top 23 selected to compete at the Junior Gold Cup in Brisbane in late September.

The camp featured healthy eating and mindfulness lessons spliced into the program.

Beach Rugby Australia event director Peter Hickey said a continual push towards professionalism is helping the sport make waves.

“There’s a stronger interest for two main reasons: we have a touch of seriousness from teams wanting to excel in beach rugby so we have introduced a choice of divisions, open elite and open social,” he said.

“Our other interest is coming from rugby young guns both within Australia and overseas so we have introduced a youth under-17 division.”

September’s Junior Gold Cup will be in the second edition of the Spring Festival.

“It’s an opportunity for clubs to plan ahead and celebrate their end of season,” Hickey said.

“While the action heats up on the sand there’s also plenty of fun to be had on the sidelines with back-to-back entertainment and activations for spectators.”

The Fijian Cavaliers last year and shape as a team to beat, while the All Blacks have entered a team featuring All Blacks legend Christian Cullen and Lote Tuqiri will line up for Australia.

A trial day will be held at Broadbeach Surf Life Saving Club on Sunday from 9am-noon.