The Cowra Eagles First Grade rugby union team is gearing up for an exciting 2025 season under the leadership of their new coach, Adam Mieklejohn. With a mix of previous coaching experience and a drive to develop senior players, Adam is ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come with leading the Eagles. Adam brings a unique perspective to his role, having coached under-12 teams in Cowra for the past two seasons and previously serving as a captain-coach at the university level. Taking on the First Grade team represents a step up for Adam, and he is ready to test his skills. “I’ve always wanted to challenge myself in coaching a senior side,” Adam said. “This year was an opportunity to throw my hat into the ring with the support of the other senior coaches like Bill Michael, John McKay, and Chris Miller.” A major focus for Adam is fostering a competitive and cohesive team every week. To achieve this, he emphasises the importance of maintaining player motivation, fresh training routines, and personal accountability. “We’ll do our best to get the best out of them, but ultimately, they need to find that desire within themselves to improve,” Adam explained. The season’s challenges include balancing the demands of strong competition, managing player availability, and ensuring depth across the grades. Adam’s strategy starts with early and consistent training, urging players to take responsibility for their fitness outside of scheduled sessions. “Training isn’t just two nights a week,” he said. “Players need to be doing their own work outside of Tuesdays and Thursdays to minimize their injury risk and perform at their best.” Adam sees significant potential within the team, noting the untapped talent waiting to be unlocked through strategic game management and effective structures. “Individually, there’s a lot of talent,” he said. “It’s about creating a framework where all 15 players on the field, across both grades, can shine.” One of Adam’s guiding principles is fairness and opportunity. The team begins the season with a clean slate, where all players—new recruits, returning veterans, and existing squad members—have an equal chance to prove themselves. “It wouldn’t be fair to single out anyone now,” Adam said. “Everyone starts on level zero and gets a fair chance from there.” As training kicks off, Adam’s goal is to build a team that not only competes fiercely but also grows individually and collectively. The ultimate aim is to develop a squad capable of progressing further into the finals than in previous years. With Adam’s clear vision, dedication, and the support of his coaching team, the Cowra Eagles First Grade is set to embark on a promising season
