Junior Crushers sign new coach, launch Player Academy plans

2024 is shaping up to be a great year for the Nambour Junior Crushers, with the welcome addition of a highly-rated coach to the coaching staff.

Jo Kerr, the current SC Falcons U17 Girls coach, is excited to be joining the club as the coach of the Under 14 Girls team. She brings  extensive experience to the role, having also been an assistant coach for the Northern Pride’s U19 Women’s and Queensland Country Women’s teams.

The Junior Crushers are passionate about developing the girls’ game, having had a record-number of girls playing in the younger (Under 6s – Under 12s) grades last season.  They point to the success of the NRLW competition, as well as the expansion of the Women’s State of Origin Series this year, as proof that the sport is growing in popularity with younger players and fans alike.

“There is a tremendous opportunity for girls to both learn the game, if they’ve not played before, or further develop their skills if they are a returning player,” said NJRL President Leith Hensley. “It’s exciting to have Jo join the coaching staff – it’s a real coup for our grassroots club.”

In addition to this well-received coaching appointment, 2024 heralds a new venture for the Junior Crushers, with the inaugural Bank of Queensland Nambour & Hinterland Crusher Academy – a player development program – being held.  

The brainchild of Crushers stalwart Stuart Mackenzie, who is a 200-game veteran of the Senior Crushers and current Under 12s coach for the Juniors, the Crusher Academy is designed to provide identified players in the 12 years and up age groups with key skills training. 

The program will engage the help of a number of club legends and experts from fields such as Strength and Conditioning and Sports Psychology, with a view to equipping players to better face challenges both on and off the field.

Sign-on Day Sunday

With the club’s Sign On Day being held on Sunday 28 January from 10am – 2pm at Crusher Park, registrations to join all teams (mixed U6s – U12s inclusive, Girls U13s, U14s, U15s and U17s teams and Boys U13s – U17s teams) are now open. Head to juniorcrushers.com.au for more details.

Falcons U17 Girls coach Jo Kerr will also coach the Crushers Under 14 Girls team.

The club’s Sign On Day is on Sunday 28 January from 10am-2pm at Crusher Park.