The Byron Shire Rebels are signalling a big year ahead for local rugby, with both the Under-12s and the U18 Colts delivering standout performances across major preseason tournaments. The Rebels – the combined initiative of the Bangalow and Byron Bay junior rugby clubs – are proving that their grassroots, family-first approach is a winning formula on the big stage.
Under the guidance of coaches Ross Larsson and Bill Englefield, the Under-12 Rebels recently returned from the prestigious TAS Rugby Carnival in Armidale as outright winners of their division. Competing in Australia’s largest junior rugby carnival against 20 teams from across the eastern seaboard, the Byron side secured a convincing five-tries-to-one victory over Marist College Canberra in the grand final.
‘The Byron Shire U12s ethos is to embody the spirit of fun, fair, and competitive rugby union through a family-based, grassroots mentality,’ coach Ross Larsson said of the win.
Earlier in the preseason, the U12s also hosted a successful invitational round-robin at the Byron Rec Field against the Casuarina Barbarians, and travelling players from the Mosman Whales and Dolphins.
The success continued in Brisbane, where the Rebels U18 Colts took on the region’s best in the BJRU Lightning Series. Led by coach Christian Serge, alongside coach Reece Bartlett, and manager Bryson King, the squad finished an impressive third overall. The Colts’ campaign was highlighted by a dominant 39–19 win over GPS.
As the season approaches, the club is looking for more Rebels to join the ranks. They remain determined to invite as many boys and girls from within the Bangalow, Lismore, Clunes, and Byron Bay catchment to be a part of the ‘premier junior program’ in the Far North Coast competition and expand the Rebel family.
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