Legendary coaches from across both Rugby codes have come together to inspire the next generation of leaders as part of the 2026 Youth Rugby Coaches Forum.
This included NRL Premiership winner Michael Maguire and 2023 All Blacks World Cup coach Ian Foster, who headlined a who's who of coaching for the fifth edition of the event.
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Over 300 coaches from all levels attended the event at Nudgee College in Brisbane, the host of the Forum.
Maguire claimed the most recent NRL premiership with the Brisbane Broncos, having also tasted success with South Sydney.
Meanwhile, Foster took the Kiwis to the 2015 World Cup as an assistant coach before leading them to the 2023 World Cup Final.
Founder Sean Graham praised the impact of the event, which has drawn on expertise from across the sporting world in the past, including NRL coaching guru Wayne Bennett and former Wallabies and potential All Blacks coach Dave Rennie.
"This year marked the 5th running of the forum, and across its journey over 1,000 coaches have now attended. In 2026, over 300 coaches from more than 100 schools and clubs across Australia and abroad came together with one shared goal: to be better for our players," Graham said.
Returning to its two-day format, the pair were joined by legendary scrum coach Mike Cron, along with Queensland Reds assistant Zane Hilton.
"LOVED overhearing comments like: I wasn’t sure I was going to coach this year, now I can’t wait to get started. I’m a completely different coach to who I was before I started attending these forums," Graham added.
"My top messages from over 35 different sessions are Care and connect before you challenge, Start training with a game and if players don’t understand you, don’t blame them; apologise, adapt, and try again."
"A huge thank you as well to our Principal partner Paul Brown from TRU3Y Sports and to all our sponsors for their support Student Horizons, Rhino Global Sport, Rugby Bricks, SWAARM Global & Silverfern Sport NZ and to the St Joseph's Nudgee College staff for making this event possible.
"Most of all, thank you to the coaches who attended- RESPECT."
