Snakes’ pathway to field of dreams

A new era is dawning at Caboolture Rugby Club with a vision and plan to take on the big clubs in Brisbane.

Snakes are aiming to have men’s and women’s teams in Premier Grade by 2030 - and all junior teams in Brisbane Division One competitions.

The plan includes building a pathway from juniors-colts-seniors and top-level rugby, so players chase their dreams at Petersen Rd.

It’s an ambitious target, but Snakes already have a strong junior section, backing from Caboolture Sports Club and are in a huge population growth area.

The club’s juniors have also grown 20% year-on-year since 2023 and this season Snakes will field Under 12, 14, 16, 18 and Open women’s teams.

Snakes have Nigel Statham as the club’s new general manager, bringing experience in Premier Grade, leading sporting organisations and business.

There are also plans to appoint a performance director to “coach the coaches”.

“We have great facilities,” Nigel said, at Snakes’ new $6.4 million clubhouse.

“We have a really good junior program feeding into colts, great foundations and a strategic plan which lays out where we want to go.

“2030 - we’ve got this magical date to get into the Premier Grade. There are nine teams in the competition. They would like to see a 10th as it grows the sport.

“You have all those clubs in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, but not much in the middle. We want to be the Moreton Bay club and represent the whole area.

“I think this is a golden era of rugby in Australia. We have the men’s World Cup (2027) and women’s World Cup (2029). It’s our job to capitalise on that.”

Rugby Operations Manager Sam Hoffman said if Snakes can make the pathway connection the club will “go a long way”.

“We’re in most local primary schools, running rugby programs and run a competition for local high schools, which are traditionally rugby league schools,” he said.

“We have a very competitive price and one of the cheapest sports around, which helps get people through the door.”

However, Nigel said the “long-term project” from Sunshine Coast competitions to Premier Grade is “not simply a case of applying and they accept you”.

“We need to show consistency, build the club, build a winning way and provide a really good product,” he said.

“We need to be offering four-to-five-year-olds a genuine pathway which takes them through juniors to colts and then premiership rugby.

“Good programs, good mentors and good coaches build it. That brings success and success brings players.”