If you’ve been around Maroochydore Rugby Club for a while, chances are you’ve seen me on the side line, cheering (sometimes too loudly) for the Swans. For years now, I’ve been a proud rugby mum. My boys have grown up here. From their first nervous under-8’s games to now seeing them running out in seniors, it’s been a huge part of our family’s life.
There have been times when injuries or life have meant we’ve had a short break from the season. But even when my boys weren’t playing, I never really left the club. I’ve stayed involved, volunteering on the committee, helping out at events, or just being around on game days, because I genuinely love this place and the people who make it what it is.
That’s why I wanted to write this. Because being part of a rugby club is about so much more than Saturday games or end-of-season trophies. It’s about community, the one we build together.
Recently, we sent out an end-of-season survey asking for feedback. We have over 450 players at the Swans, most of them juniors, which means well over 500 players, parents and guardians connected to our club. Guess how many responses we got? Fourteen.
Fourteen.
That’s less than 3% of our rugby family taking a few minutes to share their thoughts, ideas, or suggestions.
And yet, throughout the season, we all hear the feedback; at training, on the side lines, after games. Everyone has opinions, ideas, and sometimes frustrations (fair enough, it’s a big club and we can’t always get it right). But when it comes time to actually put those ideas forward, or to lend a hand, we often hear… crickets.
Please don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a rant! I completely understand how busy life is. We all have work, families, and a million other things going on. But what makes a club like ours truly special is when people pitch in, even in small ways. Whether it’s helping out at the BBQ, managing a team, joining a sub-committee, or simply filling out a survey, it all helps us make the Swans stronger.
Our club is the oldest rugby club on the Sunshine Coast, and next year in 2026, we’ll proudly celebrate our 52nd year. That’s an incredible milestone. But to keep growing, to keep developing our juniors, to chase that next premiership, and to continue having a positive impact in our community, we need people to help us get there.
Our Annual General Meeting is coming up on Thursday 11 December at 6pm, and this is when all committee positions are vacated, as per our club constitution. That means every role is open; from President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer through to Junior and Senior coordinators, Sponsorship, Canteen Coordinator, and Social Media.
If you’ve ever thought about getting involved, this is your chance. You don’t need to know everything or have years of experience, just a willingness to be part of something bigger than yourself.
Because at the end of the day, this club doesn’t just belong to a committee, it belongs to all of us.
See you on the side lines.
Mel
