A new initiative aimed at bridging the gap between junior and senior rugby league levels was launched on Sunday, February 23, at the Cooma Showgrounds. Nathan Smith, the Colts’ Under 18s Coach for 2025, spearheaded the pathways program designed to transition Cooma Colts Junior Rugby League players into the senior Cooma Stallions team.
PHOTO: Cooma Colts U18’s Coach Nathan Smith, with Colts pathways players.
The program featured a series of drills and fitness sessions, providing a platform for teenagers to enhance their skills and stay engaged with the sport. Smith, who has successfully organised similar programs in the past, emphasises the importance of retention in junior sports.
“As kids start leaving sport around those ages, I want to keep them involved and hopefully move them on to become a Stallion,” he said.
PHOTO: Smith conducting drills with the Colts in their new training kit.
The training kit for the program was generously funded by the Cooma Rovers trust fund, a nod to the rich history of rugby league in Cooma, which once boasted multiple local sides.
Smith’s vision is to foster a strong rugby identity within the community, keeping the Cooma Colts and Stallions prospering. “If the Stallions are strong, it gets the local community involved and gives the town something to look forward to,” Smith added.
With 17 local junior sides last year, the Colts are committed to nurturing young talent, ensuring future successes for both players and the community.