Wallabies legends to inspire Modified Rugby group
NEVER has Kelvin Peno taken so much from a coaching experience.
After his own days playing rugby union were brought to an end by severe concussions, he needed to discover a new passion within the game.
Now he has grand plans for the Charters Towers Bulls’ Modified Rugby Program, a layout that includes the help of two Wallabies legends.
The initiative is designed to provide children who live with special needs an opportunity to showcase their skills with the Gilbert in hand.
Each player is supported by a rugby mentor, and the concept is growing year on year. It was Brothers that launched the program in the region, and now Charters Towers and Townsville Grammar have jumped on board to suggest a competition could be on the horizon.
While Peno said he only had three participants this year, more interest had been flagged after they joined forces with Brothers to take on Grammar earlier this year. What transpired was “the best thing I’ve been involved in”.
He said his experience watching his sister grow up with cerebral palsy and sit on the sidelines of school sport events compelled him to get involved.
“I’ve hung around special care units in schools since I was old enough and you can see the poor buggers are always kept to the side,” Peno said.
“I wanted to stay involved with rugby and this was a new form of coaching I’ve never done before. I’m from a personal carer background and age care so it was sort of up my alley.
“I was looking to do something that was different, I wasn’t able to play anymore and I’ve coached for the last 15 years as well so I thought this was an excellent program to get involved in.
“Especially having a sister with cerebral palsy. I’m aware of a few things that can happen with kids who have disabilities.
“We all saw the Paralympics and I was more excited for that than the Olympics. This is the time to book the spotlight.” Peno’s group of Bulls will travel to Townsville on September 25 to join with the rest of the region’s Modified Rugby participants in a drills and Q&A session with Australian legends David Campese and Tim Horan.
Since the initiative launched in North Queensland it has gone from strength to strength.
Not only have more kids living on the spectrum come on board, but Peno said their interaction with others in the community had evolved dramatically as a result. He called on more families to get involved ahead of their Wallabies session.
The session will run from 11am to noon at Ignatius Park.