Sport
16 November, 2024
J.B Sport Services to bring more to rural kids
Toogoolawah residents Jarrod Bailey and his partner, Maddison Ihle, have a strong passion for providing sports opportunities to kids in rural Queensland.
Jarrod worked for the NRL for nine years as a referee and game development officer, delivering rugby league clinics at schools.
He also volunteers with grassroots sports groups, including serving as Vice President for the Stanley-River Wolves Rugby League Club next season.
With this experience, the pair decided to start J.B Sport Services to bring more grassroots sports to rural towns.
“We are covering Kilcoy, Toogoolawah, Harlin, and we will be covering Blackbutt, South Burnett, and I’ll be going all the way out west,” Jarrod said.
He said it was important to bring sport to rural areas to build confidence, inclusivity, and keep kids fit and healthy.
“I grew up in a little town, Nanango, and we might have got the NRL there twice a year if we were lucky,” he said.
“When I was in Darwin going into the indigenous communities, with the mental health side of things, you just don’t know what’s going on with their home lives.
“It could be the best hour of their day, so if we can contribute to changing people’s lives, I think sport is a great factor for that.”
The pair are still working full-time jobs and said they are slowly starting to hold a few clinics while they get on their feet and build momentum.
They held their first clinic on November 12 at NCC Kilcoy, providing childcare sports services.
Jarrod and Maddison want to build this business up so it can be their main focus. J.B Sport Services will offer services ranging from one-on-one coaching to bringing interschool sport back to the region.
“Other services we will have include J.B Mini Clinics for kids under five years old, after school clinics, and club consultations to offer guidance,” Jarrod said.
“We will also run programs to help kids build their confidence up.”
