Under 16 Rugby League Squad – Building Something New: Join the Pakenham Eels Foundation – 2026

10 Years. A New Chapter. Your Chance to Be Part of the Under 16 Rugby league Squad.

When Pakenham Eels Rugby League Club started a decade ago, we had a simple vision: create a place where young players could develop, belong, and thrive. Ten years later, that vision hasn’t changed, but now we’re doing something different for 2026.

We’re building the Foundation U16 Rugby League Squad.

If you’re a player who’s played rugby league before, switched from rugby union, or you’re looking for a fresh start in a sport that matters, this is your moment. This isn’t about joining an established team. This is about being part of the core group that builds something new.

What Makes the Under 16 Rugby League Foundation Squad Different?

Most clubs are about filling numbers. We’re about building character.

You’ll get game time. Not sitting on the sideline for half a season. Not rotating out because there are 26 players fighting for 20 spots. At the Pakenham Eels, you’ll play your position, week in and week out, in a squad that’s purposefully sized for development, not overflow.

You’ll develop faster. Our U16 program is coached by Melbourne Storm Development Coaches, the same coaches who prepare players for state-level rugby league. Your development isn’t accidental. It’s structured. You’ll learn game intelligence, resilience, and the fundamentals that matter. You’ll play in your preferred position, not wherever we need a body. That’s how players improve.

You’ll belong to something real. Foundation Squad players are the group that starts it. You’re not the fifth wave of recruitment, you’re the core and it begins at the clubs 10th anniversary. You’re the ones who set the culture, who build the identity, who make it matter. That’s leadership. That’s belonging.

You’ll grow as a person, not just a player. Under 16 Rugby league at the Eels isn’t about trophies and favoritism. It’s about resilience. It’s about making you a smarter player and a better person. You’ll train with coaches who care about your development, your mental toughness, and your understanding of the game.

Why This Matters in 2026

You’re 15 or 16 years old. The decisions you make about which club, which coaches, and which group you surround yourself with, they matter. A lot.

Some clubs are about winning every season. Some are about politics and who plays. The Pakenham Eels U16 program is about your growth. Over the next two years, you’ll develop under experienced coaches, play meaningful footy every week, and build friendships that last within our under 16 Rugby League squad.

South East Melbourne junior rugby league is competitive. There are good clubs doing good things. But there’s nowhere else you’ll get the combination of:

• Guaranteed game time in your position
• Melbourne Storm-level coaching
• Small-squad attention (not lost in a massive squad)
• Development-first culture
• A club that’s 10 years strong and hungry to build the next chapter

How to Get Started

Bring your mates.

Seriously. If you’ve got friends who play rugby league or union, or mates who want to try something new together, bring them. We’re building a squad, not recruiting individuals. The best teams are built on friendships and trust.

Come to training.

Tuesday and Thursday, 6pm–8pm
Comely Banks Recreation Reserve
125 Bridge Road, Officer

No commitment. No pressure. Just come see what it’s about. Meet the coaches. Meet the boys. Feel the culture.

Season kicks off Saturday, May 2, 2026.

The 10-Year Moment

Ten years ago, the Eels started with a dream. Now we’re at a turning point. The Foundation U16 Rugby League Squad for 2026 is our chance to build something special and we want you to be part of it.

You’re not joining a team. You’re building one.

You can also find out more details and register here.

Get in touch:  pakenhameels@pakenhamrlc.com